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