Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Charles a railway navvy, born 1862 in Whetstone, Leics., and his wife Eliza Ann, born 1864 in Whetstone, Leics. John Alfred was born in 1891 in Whetstone, Leics., his siblings were, Mark, born 1890, Ada, born 1893, Amos Kenney Charles, born 1895, George Capson Charles, born 1897 and William Thomas, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Whetstone, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at The Hill, Whetstone, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a labourer and was residing in the family home at Victoria Road, Whetstone, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Ada, Amos, George, William, Edwin, born 1904, Walter, born 1907, Mary Ethel Cecilia, born 1908 and Kathleen Alys, born 1911, the latter four siblings were all born in Whetstone, Leics. The War Diary entry for events from the 24th to the 30th September 1916 records. East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about a 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.