Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Heighton, a colliery worker, born 1859 in Arnesby, Leics., and his wife Sarah Jane Heighton born 1859 in Loughborough, Leics. John was born on the 28th July 1893 in Whitwick, Leics., his siblings were, Mary A., a boot trade machinist, born 1881, Charles William, a carpenter, born 1885, George Edward, a carpenter, born 1886, Elizabeth, born 1887, James, born 1889, Jane, born 1893 and Florence, born 1897, all his siblings were born in Whitwick, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Castle Street, Whitwick, Leics. In April 1911 John was an unemployed driller and was residing in the family home at 30, Green Lane, Whitwick, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Charles, a quarry worker, George, a packer, James, a quarry worker, Jane a hosiery trade worker, Florence, a mother’s help, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1903 and Alice, a schoolgirl, born 1905, the latter two siblings were both born in Whitwick, Leics. The family later resided at 44, Green Lane Whitwick, Leics. His brother George Edward also fell. John enlisted on the 26th June 1915 and embarked to join the Mediteranean Expeditionary Force as a Bomber on the 5th December 1915, joining his unit, the Anson Battalion at Mudros on the 5th February 1916 and serving with this unit until he was reported missing, later reported killed in action on the 13th November 1917. His body was buried in Trench No.6 Q.18.c.0.2. Sheet 57D 1/40.000.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 26th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

Mr and Mrs Heighton and family desire to tender their sincere thanks to all friends for their kind expressions of sympathy with them in the death of their dear son, A. B. John Heighton, 5576, Anson Battalion, B.N.D. Killed in action, somewhere in France, November 13th, 1916. 44, Green Lane, Whitwick.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 16th, 1917.

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son, A. B. John Heighton, R.N.D. killed in action in France, November 13th, 1916. Of Green Lane, Whitwick, Leicestershire.

“Deep in our memory, true in heart,
With deepest of grief we had to part,
With a loving son and brother dear,
That fatal blow came so severe.”

From Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 19/10/2017