Hi, 
I notice that on 1901 census he goes by the name of John Beach...  
Could he be:  
1891
RG12/4344
Folio 122 p. 7 
Trelleck, Monmouthshire 
Beacon Cottage, Payns Place 
John A Beach, servant, 17, Farm Labourer, b. Monmouth 
(at the farm of Watkin Price) 
1881: 
RG11/5228
Folio 81 p. 27
Fanny Hicks, head, mar, 44, Sewing Machinist
John Hicks, son, 8, scholar 
William (B?)olton, lodger, unm, 21, General Labourer
Ellen do., lodger, unm, 28, General servant unemployed
John Beach, boarder, 8, scholar, b. Monmouth 
George Hawkins, boarder, unm, 28, General Labourer
Which I agree doesn't help us regarding his parents  

 and probably just confuses more. Sorry.   
Tanja