John Robert Hellam was the son of Humphrey Hellam, an engine driver with North Eastern Railways, and his wife, Anne.

John joined Westoe Secondary School from Stanhope Road School in 1907, leaving two years later to be a Fitter and Engineer.

However, he is later recorded as a clerk at Smith's Dock in South Shields.

He joined up as a Private in September, 1914, and was initially posted to Newport, but two months later was transferred to Canterbury and, in June, 1915, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the East Kent Regiment.

While in action, John was reported missing on 28-Sep-1915, but was later discovered to have been taken Prisoner of War. On repatriation in June, 1918, he returned to his regiment, but was discharged after two months as being no longer fit for war service.

After the war, he was admitted to Grosvenor Sanitorium in Ashford, Kent, where he died on 1-Feb-1920.