Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Homer, a maltster’s labourer, born 1864 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Homer (nee Bowman, married in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. John Wilfred was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Catharine Ann, born 1890, Alexander Henry, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892, Harold William, born 1896 and George, born 1898, all his siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, also residing with the family was John’s maternal uncle, William Bowman, a gas stoker, born 1868 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 8, North Street, Mill Bank, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. In April 1911 John was employed as a butcher’s errand boy, and was residing in the family home at 8 and 10, Mill Bank Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire together with his father, a Midland Railway Company labourer, his mother and siblings, Catharine, a marine store sorter, Alexander, a gardener and nurseryman, William, a soap factory packer, George, a schoolboy, Elizabeth May, a schoolgirl, born 1901, Albert Edward, a schoolboy, born 1903, Ernest, a schoolboy, born 1905, Frank Reginald, born 1907 and Gladys Mabel, born 1909, the latter five siblings were all born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. His elder brother Alexander Henry also fell in action.
The War Diary records: 26 Sept-16 – ENGLEBELMER. Attack on THIEPVAL. The Batt. moved forward to MACMAHON’S POST about 11:30pm arriving about 1:30am. “A” Coy evacuated prisoners. 2/Liuet S. T. HEATON killed. Later “A” Coy was ordered to consolidate a line in THIEPVAL.
27 Sept-16 – TRENCHES. The remainder of the day was spent resting. At 10:00pm the Batt. less “B” Coy moved back again to ENGLEBELMER. “B” Coy was ordered to dig a trench across NO MAN’S LAND in front of THIEPVAL.
28 Sept-16 – ENGLEBELMER. “B” Coy rejoined about midday.
29 Sept-16 – ENGLEBELMER. The Batt. moved to ARQUEVES in the rain.