John Molyneux was born on 22 November 1890 to mother Minnie Jane and coal miner father, Joseph, who worked as a hewer at Sherdley Colliery.

Young John, who was always known as Jack, was educated at Holy Trinity school in Parr.

[1] He was 26 years old, and a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers,[2] British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 October 1917 east of Langemarck, Belgium, during an attack which was held up by machine-gun fire and causing many casualties, Sergeant Molyneux organised a bombing party to clear the trench in front of a house.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Fusiliers Museum, Tower of London, England.