John was born in Merryton, Lanarkshire on the 3 of November 1873. Merryton was the site of a number of coal mines, so you can say with an amount of certainty, that his father James was working there when he was born.
It would seem that shortly after the Salvation Army made its appearance at Gore/Mataura, John became a member of that parish. From observations, he was a very active member. The funeral was conducted by Lieut. Gibson, in the absence of Captain McCormick who was normally in charge of the geographic region. The procession was well attended by Salvation Army followers and by other Christians. The coffin, borne on a conveyance (drag), was draped in the colours (flag) of the Salvation Army. The cortege proceeded slowly to the cemetery being joined constantly along the way by new mourners, swelling the ranks until it became a large procession. A comment was made by a crowd member that it had become the biggest ever in the district. Every store and public house along the route was closed except two. Having reached the cemetery, the conveyance stopped at the gate and the coffin was carried shoulder high to the grave, into which it was lowered. The service was conducted and the family was left to their grieving.
War Cry, 21st May 1887, pg 1.
John suffered from acute Scarlet Fever which is the recorded fact on his death certificate. At the time of his death, a large number of children in the household were affected by this sickness, but recovered in time. The sickness at the time was not unique to Mataura, but caused a bit of a commotion nonetheless. It would appear that the Salvation Army held services at the residence of James and Rosina despite the warnings of the local doctor and district health authorities. Sadly, John passed away on the 24April 1887 and is buried in an unmarked grave at Mataura Cemetery.
He is buried near the south-eastern corner of the Mataura Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Close to him are John McKinnell who died 25 March 1900 aged 1 year and Arthur Stark who died 3 October 1904 aged 10 years. Both were children of his younger sister, Elizabeth. The grave is between the little tree on the right and the grave on the left side. Arthur died of TB.
