John was the eldest child of James and Lucy Ann Walker who had nine children who all survived infancy: John, Arthur (birth registered J/F/M Nottingham), Maude Ellen, James Ernest, Clara (birth registered 1902 A/M/J Nottingham), Claude (birth registered 1904 A/M/J Nottingham), Olive, Fanny Lucy (birth registered 1908 A/M/J Shardlow) and Nellie (birth registered 1910 J/F/M Nottingham). John, Arthur, Maud, James, Clara and Nellie were born in Radford, Claude in Basford and Olive and Fanny in Stapleford.
In 1901 James (29, b. Radford) a lace maker, and Lucy Ann (29, b. Southwell Notts), were living at 4 Darkens Yard, New Radford, with their four children John (5), Arthur (4), Maud (2) and James (9 months).
By 1911 they were living at 99 Bateman Street. All nine children were living at home: John (15) and Arthur (14) who were both working as errand boys, Maude (12), James (10), Clara (8), Claude (7), Olive (4), Fanny (2) and Nellie (1).
John's brother, Arthur, served in the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (28107 Private) and died 'on or after' 20 October 1918 of wounds received in action (Amerval Communal Cemetery Extension Solesmes).
The notice of Arthur's death in the local paper in 1918 gave his address as 14 Paterson Road, Hyson Green.
