2nd, 7th and 7/8th Battalions, Kings Own Scottish Borderers.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 30 October 1918.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 19 November 1917.

Rooney was born in County Mayo, Ireland but resident in Padiham, Lancashire at the time of enlisting.

From the Burnley Express of 14 May 1919, MEDALS PRESENTED AT PADIHAM. At the Grand Theatre last night, medals were publicly presented which had been awarded to two gallant Padiham soldiers. To the widow of 13690 L/Sergeant John Rooney, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action on 26 August 1918, and whose home was at 13, Beech Street, Padiham, were presented with the D.C.M. and M.M. Lance-Sergeant Rooney was a real hero, being awarded the Military Medal about March 1918, and this was followed on 28 June 1918, by the award of the D.C.M. the official inscription on the award reading: "For great gallantry and daring during an attack under heavy fire." According to the official notification of the award: "When his platoon commander became a casualty, he went forward and led the way. An enemy officer, who managed to lame him severely by a blow to the leg with the butt of his rifle, attacked him. L/Sergeant Rooney, having bayoneted the officer, continued to limp ahead until he reached the enemy support line, where single handed he captured a machine gun, killing the gunner and taking three other men prisoners. In spite of his injured leg, he dispatched nine of the enemy, working with tireless energy. He was of great help to his company commander, encouraging his men by his gallantry and endurance."

The citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal published in the London Gazette reads, as in the newspaper article above.