Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Wells, a brickyard labourer, born 1863 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Wells (nee Hunt, married in the 1st quarter of 1891 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1869 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. John William was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Mountsorrel, his siblings were, Herbert, born 1894, Eva May, born 1896 and Harold, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Sileby, in March 1901 the family home was at Back Lane, Sileby. John first entered the theatre of war on the 29th July 1915 in France. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. John nominated his brother Harold as his sole legatee. John was one of the missing from the action on the 6th April 1916, and it was some time later before he was officially recorded as presumed to have been killed in action on the 6th April 1916.
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-16 - The 19th and 28th Brigades supported by 21st Brigade were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Brigade on right, 19th Brigade on left. Formation of 28th Brigade. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battalion OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Brigades were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Brigade pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and HIGHLAND Battalions (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Brigade), the remaining units of both Brigades extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battalion and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battalion. Officers killed 2nd Lieutenant H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Captain C. A. BAMFORD, Captain H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lieutenant H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lieutenant T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lieutenant. J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lieutenant. H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lieutenant B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battalion 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battalion on the afternoon of the 6th April.