Major John Mott is a third generation Salvationist, born and raised in the city of Cambridge. His grandfather and father were bandmasters of the corps, as was John before entering the Training College in 1970. He also held the position of Songster Leader for some years. As a Corps Officer, he travelled extensively, being stationed at Skegness, Grimsby, Lurgan, Nottingham (William Booth Memorial Halls) and Southend.

John was the National Bandmaster of The Salvation Army for a period in the 80s and worked with Salvation Army bands in Denmark, Sweden, Holland, France and the Ukraine. He was liaison officer for the bands from Mont Clare in Chicago and The New York and Canadian Staff Bands on their visits to the UK. John founded the present-day Household Troops Band and has been its conductor since 1985. He is at present, the Bandmaster at Cambridge Citadel Corps, his chosen place for retirement.