John Bertram Sutcliffe was born in Ballarat, Victoria, was single and a Draftsman when he enlisted with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 4 on 21 August 1916 at the age of 20. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on 21 October 1916. He was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal on 30 July 1917 and proceeded overseas to France on 5 February 1918. He proceeded overseas to Egypt on 5 March 1919 before returning to Australia later that year, on 2 April 1919.

His brother, CSM George Gribbon Sutcliffe, Postal Corps, returned to Australia, 1 July 1919 also served. Tree No. 3447
Tree No. 3449