| John Fitzsimons was the son of Charles Edward and Jeanie Fitzsimons. Charles Fitzsimons married Jeannie Harrison on 23rd April 1890 in the district of Down.
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| John Henry Fitzsimons was born in Coagh, County Tyrone on 16th November 1894. He was one ten children, eight surviving.
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| John’s father was a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary, which may explain why the family moved around quite regularly.
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| Family: Charles Edward Fitzsimons, Jeanie Fitzsimons, Samuel Fitzsimons (born 6th February 1892, Dungannon), James Fitzsimons (born 27th August 1893, Coagh), John Henry Fitzsimons (born 16th November 1894, Coagh), Robert W Fitzsimons (born 1st July 1896, Benburb), Isabella G Fitzsimons (born 25th June 1898, Benburb), Ethel M Fitzsimons (born 25th June 1898, Benburb), Charles M Fitzsimons (born about 1900), Maria E D Fitzsimons (born about 1st July 1903, Omagh), Jeanie H Fitzsimons (born 1st September 1905, Benburb).
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| The 1901 census lists John as age 6, living with the family at house 5 in Union Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone. John’s mother was born in America. John’s father was born in county Donegal. The family included twins, Ethel and Isabella.
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| The 1911 census does not list John as living with the family at house 31 in Moore Street, Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. Charles Edward Fitzsimons was now a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary.
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| The 1911 census lists John Henry as age 16, boarding at house 47 in Agnes Street, Court Ward, Belfast. John was a draper’s apprentice. The Thompson family he was living with were not drapers, so it must be assumed he worked elsewhere.
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| John Henry Fitzsimons enlisted in Belfast, joining the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. This Battalion had been raised in Belfast from the Belfast Volunteers in September 1914 and were trained at Randalstown and Ballyshannon.
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| During training at Seaford John was promoted to Corporal.
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| Corporal Fitzsimons landed at Boulogne, France in October 1915.
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| Corporal John Henry Fitzsimons was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he died in his first engagement. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916.
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| Corporal John Henry Fitzsimons remains were recovered and he is buried in Connaught Cemetery near the Ulster Tower at Thiepval in France.
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