John Thompson was the first person in Barnoldswick to receive the news of the wreck of the Rohilla . . . officially.

When Fred Reddiough and Anthony Waterworth were brought ashore in the John Fielden they asked for a telegram to be sent to their former Superintendent.

As it was St. John’s Ambulance Brigade business, Honorary Secretary, Sergeant Hood agreed to deal with the matter.

The telegram was received at the Post Office in Albert Road just before 11 o’clock.

It was addressed to John at the Gasworks, but the staff read it first.

Postmaster Fred Baldwin was also a member of the St. John’s and knew all the fifteen men on the ship. Ordinary meetings and First Aid classes were held in the room above the Post Office.

He telephoned the message to John.