Brothers Ernest and Edward Blackburn, both officers serving in the 1st/5th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, were killed in the same action during the Battle of the Somme on the 9th of August 1916.

In a letter to their parents Captain Dickinson wrote:

"...Ernest gave his life to save others, and it is entirely due to his excellent leadership that  'A' Company suffered so slightly - only four casualties. He was hit in the leg, the bullet cutting the main artery, beneath the groin. All the men are agreed that due to his coolness their lives were saved, and they have asked me to place on record their appreciation of his services.

"Edward fell leading his men in the same attack, and while crawling to cover was hit again by an enemy sniper, the second time in the head. He was always game and never shirked a dangerous task…"

Lieutenant Ernest Blackburn was 27 when he died, while Second Lieutenant Edward Blackburn was 23. They are both commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier 11 Face A.