John Robert Shears was born in Robinson's, Newfoundland, on September 27 to Robert Shears and Cecily McKay. He was the oldest of 6 children. There were three sisters, and two brothers. They were of Church of England Denomination.

On March 15th, 1915, at age 21, John enlisted as a Private with the 1st Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Colonial, "H" Company, Forestry Corp. Terms of service were for the duration of war.His regimental number was 1274.

His attestation paper lists Robert Shears, father, as his closest relative, Robinsons, Bay St. George, Newfoundland. He was 5 ft 9 1/2 inches tall, weight 142 lbs, color fair, hair light, eyes blue. His occupation was listed as Locomotive Fireman, at a wage of $50.00 per month.

On April 22, 1915, embarked St. John's for overseas, on S.S. Stephano.Commenced training at Stobs Camp, near Hawick Scotland, and in his conduct sheet on 17 August 1915, it states that he was charged with creating a disturbance in camp after "lights out", and was awarded 5 days Confined to Camp [CC] on 18 August, 1915. Witness was L. Buff. Awarded by Capt Ayre. He is listed as being with "E" company.

Embarked for Gallipoli 12-11-15
Embarked Suvla Bay on 1st Dec. 1915
Evacuated and arrived Alexandria on 15th Jan. 1916.
Proceeded to Suez on Jan 16th 1916.
Embarked Port Suez 14 March 1916.
Disembarked Marseilles 22 March 1916.
Wounded in action on July 1st 1916.
Admitted 1 Gen. Hos. Entretat, 2nd July 1916, Gun Shot Wound Right thigh.
Invalidated to England, 2 July 1916 and admitted to Wandsworth.
Granted furlough from 27 Sept 1916 to 6 October 1916
Embarked Southhampton 7-9-17
Disembarked Rowen, 9 Sept. 1917
Joined battlion 18 Sept 1917. Fit for light duty class B, and likely to be fit for service overseas within three months.
Re-admitted to hospital with trench foot, 14 Oct 1917.
Joined base depot Rowen 3 Dec. 1917.
Rejoined battalion 11-12-17
Evac. to Ambulance Trn No 20 for duty, ex New Zealand Stationary Hospital 3-1-1918
Re-admitted to NZ Stationary Hospital, Wisques ? 13-1-1918
Nominal roll of sick and wounded from the France Expeditionary Force, admitted 5-2-18
from Hospital Ship Jan Breydel, Southhampton.
A admitted to military hospital in Rochester Row 4 July 1918. with traumatic infection.
Discharged 23 Sept. 1918 and granted furlough to 2 Oct. 1918.
Fit for duty. Posted to Depot, 7 Oct 1918.
Proceeded to Pay and Record Office for duty 25 Jan. 1919
Proceeded to Depot, Winchester, 4 Feb 1919 and is struck off the strength of the office at that date.
Was listed as unfit for duty, and was discharged,and left on S.S. Corsican on May 22, 1919 for St. John's
Demobilized St. John's, 24 July 1919.

John Robert Shears served for 4 years, 132 days, and was categorized as medical category "E". Medical report was signed by Major Cluny MacPherson as recommended discharge.

JR Shears received a Victory Medal, British War Medal and a 1914 - 1915 Star for his service with the 1st Royal Newfoundland Regiment, on September 23, 1921, as well as a King's certificate, on June 20, 1921.
He served in Gallopili, France and Belgium.

On March 2, 1921, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, John married Gladys Viola Veinot Woodworth, of Hemford, Lunenburg Co, Nova Scotia.
They lived in Halifax on Brunswick Street for a time, before returning to Newfoundland to live in McKay's, Nfld, along with his step-son, Allan Woodworth. John worked for the Department of Agriculture.

John Robert Shears died on 22 October 1946, and is buried in St. Georges Anglican Church Cemetery, McKay's, Newfoundland