John Larson was born on 2 July 1878 in Kalmat Sweden. He came to Canada and became a naturalized citizen on 9 May 1902. He made his home in Lethbridge and married Constance Olander on 10 January 1903. They had four children, Ethel, Janet, Clarence and Arvid.
He worked in the coal mines and on the high level bridge. He was a well-respected member of the community. He served in leadership positions as President of the United Mine Workers and as Vice-President of the Alberta Federation of Labour.  He joined Lethbridge’s 39th Battery Royal Canadian Artillery on 12 October 1915 and arrived in England on 13 March 1916. The Battery moved to France 13 July 1916, serving in the Somme area.  Gunner Larson was the first member to be killed from the Battery, dying instantly from a shell on 16 November 1916. He is buried at Sunken Road cemetery, France.