John McAllister was the eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth McAllister. He was born on 26th May 1894 in the district of Magherafelt. The family lived in Ballymultrea, Salterstown. Both he and his father were agricultural labourers. John was a member of Salterstown L.O.L. No 482. John McAllister enlisted in Randalstown, joining the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private John McAllister was killed in action on 9th September 1917 in France.

Hermies is a town in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, approximately 3.5 kilometres south of the road (D930) from Bapaume to Cambrai. From the D930 take the D34 for 3.2 kilometres to its junction with the D5E where the first CWGC sign is situated. The Cemetery lies on the right side of the road 150 metres from the junction.