John Samuel Catherall was the son of George and Ellen Catherall, 45 Chester Rd. In 1911 John was 16 and an apprentice to pattern maker. He was living at Garden Cottage Lane End with father George, a carpenter at brickworks, mother and sisters Beatrix and Lydia. He had a brother George living at Sealand Road Chester in 1915.

John Samuel joined the Cheshire Yeomanry in March 1915, and was transferred to the South Lancashire in September 1916 when he embarked for France.