Although the holiday makers did not realise it the whole of Europe was alive. The electric wires were pulsing messages here and there and all great minds of Europe were facing a more terrible situation that ever the mind of man had faced before. There were evidences of a terrible malign influence at work, of a mailed hand, striving to wring the life out of Europe. Two hours after those trains of holidaymakers had left, the effect of the crisis was felt in Wolverton.

A message was received at the Works from Euston, that all available rolling stock in the Works - coaches, wagons and horseboxes must he prepared for immediate use. If the British troops were mobilised those trains were to convey them to their mobilization centre.

Messages were sent to churches and chapels for foremen and workers and the motor fire engine toured the villages picking up workers on the way. Over 500 were secured altogether and they set back to work with a will realising that at the back of this call to action a great crisis was reaching its climax.