“It will be remembered that German gunboats shelled the town of Ramsgate during the 18th ult., and that two British destroyers then met with disaster. The "Hawke's Ray Herald" now learns that Lieutenant E. Ballard Dalby, R.N.R., the eldest brother of Mrs J. E. Whelch, of Lake Station, lost his life in action, March 18th, and presumably in the course, of that raid, the ill news having come through by private cable. An extra-master in the merchant service, Lieutenant Dalby, on the outbreak of war, left the New Zealand Shipping Company, and immediately reported in London for active service. Heartfelt sympathy has been expressed for his young wife, Dr. Marjorie Middleton, a niece of the baronet of that name, to whom quite recently Lieutenant Dalby was married in England. While there he met his brother, Sergeant-Major Charles Dalby, of the Hawke's Bay Regiment, who was then convalescent in London. Both are sons of Mr I. Sayle Dalby, of recent years a resident of Hawke's Bay.” [Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15880, 20 April 1917, Page 6]

“LIEUTENANT E. B. DALBY. A promising New Zealand officer, Lieutenant E. Ballard Dalby, R.N.R., and an extramaster of the Port of London, was killed in action at sea, March 18 last, probably at the time of the German raid on Ramsgate. Serving all through H.M.S. Carmania's commission, and following the sinking by that vessel of the Cap Trafalgar, soon after war broke out, he rose to he second in command. He was then transferred to a warship. Previously the late lieutenant had seen considerable service under the New Zealand Shipping Company, which he left to report himself at the Admiralty. A brief while ago he was married in London to Dr. Marjorie Middleton, niece of Sir John Middleton. Sergeant-Major Charles Dalby, of the Main Expeditionary Force, 1st Wellington Battalion, since invalided home to New Zealand, is a brother of the deceased, and met him while in England. There are other relatives in North Canterbury.” [New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16520, 23 April 1917, Page 6]