Early on 4 August 1914 the British Government presented an ultimatum to Germany, requiring her before midnight to pledge her respect for Belgian neutrality. It was too late, German troops were already crossing the frontier. At midnight (11 p. m. British Time) war began between Britain and Germany.

John Thompson was home for lunch when he received a telegram from London. He was Barnoldswick’s Gas Manager and in his spare time. Superintendent of the local St. John’s Ambulance Branch. “Firstaid” was an Admiralty code name.