Candlelit vigil sees families remember stillborn babies found in Oldham mass graves

The discovery of more than 300 bodies in Royton Cemetery shocked the community earlier this year

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 16th Dec 2024

A candlelit vigil and church service has been held in Oldham to remember more than 300 stillborn babies discovered in mass graves.

Up until the late 1980s, it was common practice for the bodies of stillborn and miscarried babies to be taken away from families, who were not told where they were laid to rest.

Over the last few years, the sites of mass graves have been found across the country, including in Royton Cemetery.

Families came together on Sunday (15 November) for an emotional church service and candlelit vigil.

It was the first time many of the families had an opportunity to properly say goodbye to their lost children.

Marilyn and Howard's son Steven was stillborn in 1975, and they didn't discover where he was buried until the grave in Royton was unearthed.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Marilyn said: "We know where he is now, we can bring flowers. It brings comfort To acknowledge they did live and weren't just forgotten about."

There are now calls for the creation of a national memorial to remember all babies interred in unmarked graves.

Councillor Maggie Hurley helped organise the service and vigil, and said: "While these mothers of these babies and are still alive, we need to do something.

"No-one is pointing the finger, this has happened over 50 years ago. There needs to be an online register, so no-one has to hunt, as we've had to hunt here."

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