John Mitchell was a son of John and Nancy Mitchell. He was born about 1886 in Tamlaght, County Tyrone. He was one of ten children. The 1901 census lists John as age 15, living with the family in Great Georges Street, Coagh. John was working as a message boy. Private John Mitchell served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In 1915 he was with the 2nd Battalion. He took part in the Battle of Festubert and at La Bassee. It seems he was injured at the Somme in July 1916. A report from June 1918 records that John Mitchell was still at the front.