BORN	19 March 1875 in Kirby Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire
DIED	29 November 1958 - after being hit by a motor cycle. Buried with his beloved wife and friends the Gribbles, at London Road Cemetery, Coventry
FAMILY	His father was a farm labourer. John was one of eleven or twelve children. His family were poor but nevertheless close knit and loving
1877	Dame School for Girls (Kindergarten) Boys wore frocks until four years old. His formal education ended when he was ten years old
1885	Aged ten, left home to work on a farm called 'Labour in Vain' on the edge of Rufford forest. John earned one shilling per week plus board. He had one day off per year, besides Christmas Day and Good Friday
1887-97	Attended Nottingham Goose Fair looking for work and was employed by the squire of Annesley Woodhouse. John soon gained the reputation of the best shepherd in the district. He trained a pony, which he rode without saddle, to round up the sheep. When the pony was suddenly sold, John resolved to leave the area
1897	Wrote his first poem 'Goodnight, the Sun is Sinking Low'
1897	Now 22 years old, he arrived in Coventry with the hope of finding a job with the London and North Western Railway company. His first job was as a Drayman for the London and North Western Railway. John took lodgings in Thomas Street but moved a few days later to Greyfriars Lane. He attended the Wesleyan Chapel in Warwick Lane (now the Methodist Central Hall). John met his future wife, Mary Catherine Ashton, at the Young People's Bible Class at the Chapel
1899	The Marriage Register, Warwick Lane records the marriage of John Bailey Shelton aged 24, Drayman, living at 39 Greyfriars Lane to Mary Catherine Ashton, aged 20, Spinster, Ribbon Weaver, of 30 Albion Street
1901	The couple live in Cow Lane, next to Baker, Billing and Crowe's Charity School. Their son Bailey was born in Cow Lane. They later moved to Sackville Street, where their daughter Kathleen was born
1907	When they had saved £100, John started his own haulage business and began to work for Bushills, the box maker. For many years it was a common sight to see people watching John back his panting horses into Bushill's yard, their hooves clattering on the cobbles
1908	In order to be able to have horses on the premises and to be near Bushills, the family moved to Little Park Street
1912	John's interest in animals was probably the reason why he was selected to keep the Police pound in Coventry. Stray horses, cattle, goats and cats were brought to the pound. On one occasion John had charge of two elephants from a visiting circus
1914	At the outbreak of World War I, John Bailey Shelton owned six cart horses
1920	John Bailey taught Sunday School at the Wesleyan Chapel. The idea of having a gathering for youngsters came to him when he found the evening service disturbed by children playing in the street outside. In the schoolroom, hymns were sung, poems recited, instruments played, papers read on various subjects. John would recite his own poems
1923	Elected to the Board of Guardians. For many years John worked with Joseph Allen, Chairman of the Board, in caring for the very under-privileged people of Coventry
1926	An accident puts John Bailey Shelton in hospital for nine weeks with four fractures of the right leg. Whilst in hospital he begins to study the history of Coventry. This interest leads on to him becoming an amateur archaeologist. He was often seen at archaeological digs around the city. One of his best finds was a 13th century green glaze jug. The many items he unearthed were put in his shed at the back of his house in Little Park Street. The shed being renamed the 'Benedictine Museum'
1934	Coventry Archaeology Research Society formed
1940	On 14 November John's house and stables were badlydamaged by fire caused by incendiary bombs during the Blitz. He was able to rescue the horses. His wife, Mary Catherine, was injured by a high explosive bomb and never fully recovered. John and his wife live in two caravans on the site of their former home.
1944	Appointed City Chamberlain of Coventry with an honorarium of £100 per annum. He took the post of janitor of St Mary's Hall, the medieval guildhall. Awarded the RSPCA's Victoria Silver Medal for his gallantry in saving his horses in the 1940 blitz
1946	Mary Catherine Shelton dies
1955	He returns to Annesley Woodhouse for a family party to celebrate his 80th birthday. The parishioners of the Methodist Central Hall, Coventry, also held a party for him
1956	John Bailey Shelton receives the MBE at Buckingham Palace for his dedication to public service, archaeology and local history
1958	At the age of 83, John was knocked down by a motor cycle while crossing the bypass by Green Lane. After a few days of unconsciousness in hospital, he died as peacefully as he lived