Second unmarked mass grave contains stillborn children

During the candlelit vigil, councillors and visitors believed they'd found a second plot on the other side of the cemetery, which may also contain a number of stillborn children

A second unmarked mass grave containing the bodies of stillborn babies has been identified at Royton cemetery.

Earlier this year another grave with stillborn babies and young children was discovered in the eastern side of the cemetery.

The babies were linked to a ‘horrific’ practice which saw stillborn children removed from their parents without the chance to say goodbye and buried in communal plots without their parents’ knowledge.

The first grave contains 145 babies, 128 children, and 29 adults.

Now a second communal plot located at the northern wall, behind the cemetery chapel, has been confirmed by Oldham Council, though it is unclear how many bodies the plot contains.

The grave was discovered during a candlelit vigil held on Sunday (December 15) to memorialise the children and give relatives a moment to reunite with their loved ones.

One relative approached Councillor Maggie Hurley, who organised and funded the event, to inform her of the second plot, where they’d traced a family member.

The group broke away to place candles and a wreath on the plot.

Though the relative was too upset to speak to the LDRS at the time, Coun Hurley told the LDRS: “We’ve found another one.

"This is social injustice on a scale I never could have imagined.”

Oldham Council did not wish to comment on the second site.  

Though a spokesperson noted that the communal site – known historically as ‘pauper’s graves’ and more recently as ‘local authority burials’ – is known to the council.

Both sites at Royton Council are due to receive a memorial bench and plaque to commemorate the babies, children and a number of adults who are buried there.

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