About John Thornley
Lived 1885 – 1918 (aged 32). John Thornley was a military personnel and association football player.
Personal life
Thornley was born in September 1885 in Hayfield, Derbyshire to Thomas and Henrietta Thornley and was baptised the following March in Whitfield, Derbyshire. His elder brother Irvine was also a footballer. In 1915, during the second year of the First World War, Thornley enlisted as a private in the Cheshire Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of St Quentin and died of his wounds on 31 March 1918. Thornley was buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Thornley's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Thornley?
English footballer (1885-1918)
When was John Thornley born?
John Thornley was born on 19 September 1885 in Glossop.
When did John Thornley die?
John Thornley died on 31 March 1918 in Pas-de-Calais.
What was John Thornley's occupation?
John Thornley was a military personnel and association football player.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Thornley (footballer, born 1885)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Thornley. https://biography.guide/john-thornley/
MLA: "John Thornley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-thornley/.
Chicago: "John Thornley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-thornley/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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