ALMOST 100 years after the deaths of three Darwen lads in a winter blizzard on the moors above Bull Hill, a new theory on the tragedy has just come to light.

Local newspaper reports from late December 1917 agreed they set off after Sunday school for a walk when the weather was already threatening and darkness was falling.

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But on the eve of a world premiere musical performance telling the story of the tragedy, new information suggests the weather was in fact fine when they set out on their fatal journey.

The boys were found dead from exposure in the icy drifts over the next few days.

It was at the height of the Great War and the formalities of investigation, inquest and burial were done and dusted in just a few days.

Because of this, Darwen gravedigger John Dawson believes the facts have been misreported and when they set off the weather was fine.

He spoke to local history researchers recently who were helping to tidy the grave of the oldest lad who died, William Cooper Longton.

John said: "The newspapers said the lads had been seen going on to the moors but there was no further information.

"The man who saw them was farmer Tim Dewhurst who chatted to them as they passed his farm to the west of Bull Hill.

"I used to work with his son, Gordon, at Darwen Cemetery, and one day he told me exactly what his dad had told him about that brief meeting.

"It wasn't starting to snow; it was a glorious day and quite early in the afternoon.

"But Tim pointed to the leaden skies over to the south west and told them, 'watch out for that, lads'."

They went on their way and the blizzard struck quickly. When little Jimmy Bolton was found he was wrapped up in his cousin Ralph Bolton's topcoat.

He had taken it off, wrapped it around the little lad, and made him as comfortable as he could in the lee of a low stone wall as he set off in the dark and the swirling snow in a vain attempt to get help, as William had done earlier.

John added: "I know just how quickly a blizzard can strike on those moors. I was caught over by White Hill a few years ago and within a matter of minutes I had lost my bearings."

He only made it back to the safety of the main road by inching along a dry stone wall.

He said: "I was very lucky and I was frozen."

* On Saturday (NOV 15) Blackburn Cathedral will stage the world premiere of 'Tragedy on Darwen Moor, December 1917: Greater Love Hath No Man', a tone poem about the tragedy and sacrifice composed by former Darwener David Mellor.

Tickets, costing from £5 to £30, are available from the box office on 0844 8471664.