IT'S exactly 90 years ago today that three Darwen lads set off for a walk in the snow after Sunday School - and on to their deaths in a raging blizzard which quickly enveloped the bleak moors above Bull Hill.
It was a tragedy made even more poignant by a selfless act of heroism by 16-year-old Ralph Bolton, of Maria Street, in taking off his overcoat and wrapping it round his 10- year-old cousin James, before heading off into the icy darkness to seek help.
Now, thanks to the interest of local folk such as firefighter Tony Gaffney, and Mark Rule, who runs Darwen Memorials, their grave has now been fully restored.
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The last piece of engraved marble, marking the resting place of little James, has been put in position on the joint grave just in time for the anniversary.
Says Tony: "Mark deserves the credit for this. He spent a lot of time and money erecting completely new white marble headstones and surrounds and it really stands out. It's a first-class job."
The story of the three lads - William Cooper Longton, 18 and shortly to go off to war, was the third to die that December in 1917 - had been almost forgotten till local journalist and historian Harold Heys came across a single paragraph in a local newspaper from the late 30s.
It told, very briefly, about the sad events of 20 years earlier.
Intrigued, he began to research the story for the Telegraph and, later, for Blackburn with Darwen's Cottontown historical website and county magazines.
This summer he was alerted by Tony, who had found the old headstone, paid for by members of Bolton Road Conservative Club, flattened by the council's 'elf 'n' safety team. The ensuing publicity elicited promises of action, but nothing happened till Mark was asked by cemetery workers if he could help.
He didn't hesitate and immediately got to work. It is inscribed exactly as it was originally and includes a passage taken from John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than he who layeth down his life for another."
However, the smaller headstone, paid for by the council school that James attended, went missing.
Fortunately, Mr Heys had a photograph of it and Mark has used it to recreate the second headstone.
William, who lived close to St Barnabas' Church, was buried with his grandparents a few yards away.
He had set off first in a vain attempt to get help.
Sadly, his grave is now broken and overgrown.
Hundreds lined the route from the church to the nearby cemetery, but their sadness at the selfless courage of a 16-year-old boy was soon forgotten amid the desperation of a continuing and bloody Great War.
It was perhaps not surprising that the story of the three boys became lost in time.
Now, thanks to the efforts of local folk such as Mark Rule, the story of Ralph Bolton's heroism will live on.
Posted by: Claire, Darwen on 12:37pm Wed 19 Dec 07
My Grandpa's father was friends with the three lads, and nearly went with them; he only didn't because his Mum wouldn't let him. My Grandpa told us about the lads when my brother and I were children, and took us to see the graves to show us what friendship really means. So the story hadn't been forgotten at all.
My Grandpa's father was friends with the three lads, and nearly went with them; he only didn't because his Mum wouldn't let him. My Grandpa told us about the lads when my brother and I were children, and took us to see the graves to show us what friendship really means. So the story hadn't been forgotten at all.
If you go into the old cemetery up Bolton Road and follow the path round to the left, I believe they're there. It has been a long time since I was there, mind.
If you go into the old cemetery up Bolton Road and follow the path round to the left, I believe they're there. It has been a long time since I was there, mind.
[quote][bold]Claire[/bold] wrote:
If you go into the old cemetery up Bolton Road and follow the path round to the left, I believe they're there. It has been a long time since I was there, mind.[/quote] Thank you, I will go up and have a look. :0)
Claire wrote:
If you go into the old cemetery up Bolton Road and follow the path round to the left, I believe they're there. It has been a long time since I was there, mind.
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