EVERYONE knows of the heroism of Captain Lawrence Oates in the Antarctic in March 1912; few know of a similar sacrifice by Ralph Bolton, a young Darwen lad, just five years later.

Unlike the monuments, memorials, books, films, plays, exhibitions and a school that ensure that Oates will never be forgotten, Ralph’s sacrifice, at the height of the Great War, in 1917, was recorded, fleetingly, in the local newspapers and on his gravestone in Darwen Cemetery.

Ralph was a cotton weaver and a sergeant in the St Barnabas Church Lads’ Brigade.

After leaving Sunday School one winter’s day, 16-year-old Ralph, his young cousin, Jimmy, and a friend, 18-year-old William Cooper Longton, all strode out across the moors to visit a relative’s farm.

The three, however, were caught in a blizzard and were all found dead in the snow by search parties two days later.

William, who was due to shortly join the army and head off to France, had set off in a bid for help but only made it as far as an old farm which had been abandoned and left derelict.

When the other two were found it was discovered Ralph had taken off his own overcoat and wrapped it around his 10-year-old cousin, making the little lad as comfortable as he could, in the lee of a stone wall in the darkness, before he, too, set off in a vain attempt to get help.

He managed to walk just 250 yards in his cheap suit before the conditions overwhelmed him.

It was a story that echoed the bravery of Captain Oates, who left his three surviving companions in the icy wilderness with the words, recorded in Robert Falcon Scott's diary: “I am just going outside and may be some time.”

Young Ralph, too, walked bravely to his death in the blizzard and though we don’t know his last words, they were probably words of hope and encouragement to his young cousin.

His bravery will be remembered 97 years on, at a concert in Blackburn Cathedral, on November 15, when former Darwener David Mellor, well-known in classical and popular music circles worldwide, will realise an ambition when he conducts the world premiere of his new composition inspired by this story of heroism and sacrifice.

l The Greater Love Hath No Man concert will include the Fauré Requiem and Cantique and Mellor's Peace Anthem and his Tragedy on Darwen Moor.

Tickets, from £5 to £30, are available from blackburncathedral.com and King George's Hall box office on 0844 847 1664.