War on the horizon

John was politically minded and as well as being a trade unionist was a member of the Independent Labour Party (ILP). By 1912 John could see the shadow of war loom large over Europe and John along with fellow ILP delegates pledged to make every effort to prevent war breaking out across the continent. But when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on 28th June 1914, John was certain war would follow within weeks.