John was wounded in the Dardanelles on the 4th of June and his wife was notified to this effect, as she received no further information she clung to the hope that he may have been taken prisoner until she received the fatefull telegram in November.

He was a veteran of the Boer War and had fought at the famous action at Spion Kop. He had re-enlisted at the wars commencement despite his mature years, which may have kept him out of the war for a considerable time. He had six children with ages ranging from 21 years (Albert) to one who was only three weeks old.

KILLED LAST JUNE
BURNLEY SOLDIER LEAVES SIX CHILDREN (Burnley Express 30/10/1915)

After hearing nothing since last June of her husband, Pte. John Bickle of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers. Mrs. Bickle of 34 Caldervale-road, Burnley, has this week received from the War Office intimation that the soldier died on June 9th from wounds. Pte. Bickle was wounded in the Dardanelles on June 4th and Mrs. Bickle was notified to this effect, but as she could not get to know anything further she came to the conclusion that he must have been taken a prisoner by the Turks. Pte. Bickle, who was aged 42 years, was an old soldier, and he re-enlisted in his old regiment at the outbreak of war. He left England for the Dardanelles on May 21st.
This latest news has been most distressing to Mrs. Bickle, who has a child three weeks old. Pte. Bickle leaves six children, one of whom is married.
His eldest son, Albert, aged 21 years was in the 10th Scottish Rifles, and nothing has been heard of him for five weeks. As Albert took part in the big battle of Loos, his mother is also feeling anxious about him..
The married daughters husband, Pte. Edward Crossley, of the East Lancashire Regiment has been serving since the outbreak of hostilities, and is still in the trenches, a letter arriving from him on Monday. He has not escaped for he has been home once wounded.