John Joseph Delaney was born on the 4th August 1873 to parents Michael Delaney (1839-1884) and Catherine (nee Joice) (1842-1911). He was the sixth child of 10.

When he enlisted, he listed (as next of kin) his younger sister Mary Jane Veronica (1879-1962) and her husband Frederick Edward Nice (1875-1953) at 30 Chapman Rd, Mt Lawley. John Joseph was most possibly boarding at a house in Newcastle St prior to the war as he stayed earlier at the Great Western Hotel in William St.

John Joseph Delaney was a journalist and enlisted for war service on the 24th March 1916. He had no previous military experience. He joined the 4th Reinforcements 51st Battalion in December 1916 and then went overseas to France.

He was admitted to hospital in February 1917 with mumps. He left Rouen to England after that with myalgia and was admitted to the War Hospital in Reading England.

In October 1917 he returned to Australia for discharge with chronic rheumatism.

In 1918 he was living in 15 Brisbane St, East Perth and moved around. In 1921, he may have been living with his sister Agnes in 78 Walcott St. In 1937 he is listed as a journalist at 220 Beaufort St Perth.

He died on the 30th March 1942 and his death notice lists his sisters Agnes and Mary.

He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.