John Thornton from Sale fought in the First World War and survived. A relative has reported that he was born in 1880 and that he and his brother Henry were in a children's home in Stockport until 1885. They then lived with their uncle Anthony Welby for a time on Hope Road, Sale. Anthony was a painter and decorator. John and Henry also trained in the same profession. In 1901 the family lived at 19 Hope Road.