He was born in Kensington, London and died at his home, Stockerston Hall, near Uppingham, Rutland.
John de Lisle intended to make a military career in the cavalry but for financial reasons had to settle instead for a life in business in the jute trade in India, where he joined the Calcutta Scottish Regiment in the First World War.
[4] From 1925, he moved back to England and became a stockbroker with a firm working on the Birmingham Stock Exchange.
The move was not a success: although Leicestershire began the season well, performances fell away badly and de Lisle himself managed only 363 runs in 30 matches at an average of just 8.85, and with a top score of only 28.
De Lisle maintained his military activities: he was a member of the Leicestershire Yeomanry from 1926 until he joined the Home Guard in Warwickshire in 1940.