Published Friday 24 July 2015 at 15:21
A new digital archive has been produced to explore the lives of over 300 local soldiers that died 99 year ago at the Battle of the Somme.
To celebrate the completion of the research and to commemorate the sacrifices made by these local heroes Blackburn Central library will be hosting an event called ‘Each Simple Cross’.
This event will not only see the launch of the new archive but also feature guest lectures on the lives of the soldiers, the conditions at the Somme and military re-enactments.
This event, the research and digitalisation of the archive is part of Blackburn with Darwen Libraries Heritage Lottery Fund project ‘Reveille’ which launched last year to research and commemorate the sacrifices made by the people of Blackburn during The Great War.
Councillor Damian Talbot Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Young People said:
“Understanding the sacrifices our community made during a time of national emergency is of vital importance and especially in the centenary years. Working with the Heritage Lottery Fund this scheme has allowed our communities to research and learn more about those from our Towns who made the ultimate sacrifice”
The event will be held at the Hornby Lecture Theatre on Monday July 27th , with tickets costing £1 available from Blackburn Central Library.