Born in Dowlais around 1896, John Dunn (known as Jack) joined the Territorials before the war, and on the outbreak of war was sent to the Western Front with the South Wales Borderers. On the evening of 31 October 1914, Jack single-handedly saved eleven wounded men, while under heavy German fire. After being wounded, and recovering from his injuries, Jack was transferred to the Royal Engineers in 1915. After the war he worked in the wagon repair shop for the Guest Keen Iron and Steel Company.