John Henry Collyer was the son of Lucy Collyer, who in 1881 was living and working as a still room maid (a 'still room' would have been the room in a larger house where drinks and preserves were made), at the New Bath Hotel in Matlock. She was originally from Abbot’s Bromley, and returned there by 6 July 1882 when her son John Henry was born. 

It looks like that young John’s grandparents brought him up. He was living with them at Church Lane, Abbot’s Bromley when the census return was made in 1891. Sadly both of John’s grandparents died in the next few years; his grandmother later that year, and his grandfather in 1900. 

Little is known of John’s early life, though it appears that he was close to his cousin William, who served ten years in the Leicestershire Regiment before he moved to Duffield. By the time the next census return was made (1901) 18 year old John was living and working as a Boot Boy in Ripley.  Perhaps his cousin’s example encouraged ambitions to make a career in the army, and by 1911 John was a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, stationed at Pembroke Dock. 

Unfortunately, John’s service records have not survived, and so it is difficult to follow his career in the army. During World War 1 he served with 94 Siege Battery. This unit had been formed in December 1915, and left Folkestone on 30 May 1916, equipped with four 9.2” Howitzers, bound for Boulogne.  John certainly didn’t go to France before 1916, but it isn’t possible to say that he was with 94 Siege Battery from that time.

The men of the battery were involved in the preliminary bombardment for the Battle of the Somme, and took part in most of the actions on the Western Front.  We know that by July 1917 John’s potential had been recognised, and he had been promoted to Serjeant.

On 11 July, the battery was near Dunkerque. Two hundred rounds were fired on the enemy anti-aircraft gun. By the end of the day Number 1 gun was put out of action permanently by shell fire, and Number 4 gun was temporarily put out of action due to shell fire.

On 9 August, Brigadier General Collingwood "presented Military Medals to Sgts J Collyer & J H Gilmour, Mrs H Rose & F Rusby for gallantry in action on July 11 ’17"  The London Gazette reported this award on 17 September. The Military Medal was awarded to 'other ranks. for exceptional bravery and was the equivalent to the Military Cross which was awarded to commissioned officers.

Major C.E.B. Lowe wrote a record of 94 Siege Battery, RFA and recorded: 

'A most unfortunate casualty occurred on November 24th. During a slight spell of harassing fire Sgt Collyer and Gnr H. W. Jenson were killed by a shell striking a cottage in which they were housed.' 

It seems that John was not killed instantly but died at 1/1 East Lancs Field Ambulance (a mobile front line medical unit) later that day.  On 1 February 1918 John was once more gazetted, being awarded a Bar to his Military Medal. In addition to his Military Medal and Bar, John earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. 

His accrued pay and War Gratuity Payment of £22 were sent to his cousin William, who was listed as John’s sole legatee. John was buried in the Coxyde Military Cemetery, and after the war his cousin William, then living in Chaddesden, paid 3/2d for the inscription on his headstone: ‘Until the day breaks.’  William died in Derby in 1925. It is not known what became of John’s mother Lucy, nor whether she knew what happened to her son.