‘Heartbreaking revelation’ as mass grave found in Royton cemetery

A mass grave containing more than 300 bodies has been uncovered just over the Rochdale border. The unmarked burial site in Royton contains 145 stillborn children, 128 babies and young kids and 29 adults, according to local councillors.

The discovery was made by a local woman who was searching for the last resting place of her twin brothers, who passed away shortly after birth in 1962. It is also believed the burial site may not be the only one in Royton Cemetery.

One of the resident’s brothers was stillborn and the other passed away within five hours of birth. She told councillors, who assisted in the search, that her parents were never able to say goodbye.

The revelation follows the discovery of another mass grave in The Wirral earlier this year, where resident Gina Jacobs, 79, found her stillborn son after a 53-year search.

Jacobs has since been shining a light on the “outrageous lie” practised by hospitals all over the country up until the 80s and 90s.

Over the past 20 years, mass graves containing the remains of stillborn babies have been discovered in Lancashire, Devon, Middlesbrough and Huddersfield.

Medical staff would tell bereaved parents that their children would be buried alongside ‘a nice person’ being buried that same day - often without giving them the opportunity to say goodbye. Instead, the babies were interred in mass graves.

In a statement released by the Royton Independents, councillors Maggie Hurley and Jade Hughes wrote they had been ‘profoundly affected’ by the ‘heartbreaking revelation’. They have put forward a motion to Oldham Council to ‘recognise the injustice’ that has taken place.

The statement read: “How many babies are laying in Royton Cemetery in mass graves, their identities unknown to their grieving relatives?

“It’s a stark injustice that parents were denied the fundamental right to bury their babies, a right that should be inherent and unquestionable. This situation should stir our collective sense of fairness and empathy.

“We cannot change what has happened, but we can ensure that the babies born sleeping are named, recognised, and never forgotten.”

A motion, due to be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday 11 September, has called for the council to erect a memorial to the buried children. It also suggests records and documents about the burials should be made more accessible and digitalised and support given for grieving relatives.

The adults in the graves are presumed to be what are known as “pauper’s burials” – for individuals whose families could not afford to pay for a grave.

While records of these mass graves have existed in registrar archives, many people were not aware of the practices surrounding stillbirths and it has been difficult for relatives to track down where their family members lie.

Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah offered support for families who may have been affected. Shah said: “We understand this news will be upsetting for a lot of people and our thoughts are with them.

As a matter of urgency we will consider the suggestion being made and what may be appropriate to recognise those buried in Royton by providing a suitable memorial.

She added: “Sadly, the burying of people, including babies and children, in unmarked graves happened in graveyards all around the country years ago.

“Thankfully, things have changed and improved over the years. The Government now pay for the funerals of stillborn babies and anyone up to the age of 18 if necessary. Public graves are no longer used.”

Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter