John Halford, born in 1900, was the son of Elizabeth Halford, a widow. He lived at 2 Red Lion Street in 1911. His mother had a fish and chip shop. He had three older brothers, Samuel Henry, a postman, Arthur, a compositor. Harry, and a sister Martha. John was too young to serve in the war but his brother Samuel did.

Samuel Henry born in 1889 was a postman. He married Kathleen Jolly in 1911 and their son Samuel was born the following year. He joined the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was killed in Belgium in December 1917.