Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Adkin a Bricklayer who was born in 1847 in Diseworth, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah who was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, now of of Blind Lane, Breaston, Derbyshire. John was born in 1888 in Shepshed, Leicestershire, his siblings were George Thomas, born 1883 in Diseworth, Leicestershire and Joseph, born 1887 in Hathern, Leicestershire, in 1901 the family home was at School Lane, Belton, Leicestershire. In 1911 John was residing at The Cottage, Hemington, Derbyshire and gave his trade or calling as Bricklayer. His enlistment documents record that he gave his trade or calling as Miner and his next of kin as his mother, Mrs Sarah Adkin of Blind Lane, Breaston, Derbyshire, England. He stated that he was unmarried. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 3 ¾ inches in height, weighed 131 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33 to 35 inches. His complexion was described as fair with grey green eyes and fair hair. It was noted that he had tattoos on his right upper arm. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service gives the following information. 26th June 1915 embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia aboard HMAT “Berrima.” 16th August 1915 proceeded to join the M.E.F. in Gallipoli, Turkey. 9th January 1916 disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt from Mudros. 18th March 1916 embarked aboard HMT “Ingona” at Alexandria, Egypt. 25th March 1916 disembarked in Marseilles, France. 16th April 1916 wounded in action, France later died of his wounds en route from the Regimental Aid Post to the 7th Australian Field Ambulance, he was buried the same day in Erquingham Communal Cemetery Extension. A War Pension was awarded to his mother to commence on the 13th September 1917 in the sum of ten shillings per fortnight.