A mass grave containing more than 300 bodies has been uncovered in an Oldham cemetery.
The majority of the bodies belonged to stillborn babies and children and were found in a 12x12ft grave in Royton Cemetery in the Greater Manchester town.
Local councillors said they were discovered by a woman looking for her twin brothers who died in 1962, with one stillborn and the other dying within five hours of birth. Cllr Maggie Hurley said she was told to meet by the grave with a caretaker carrying a big gold ledger with the names of the deceased.
She has since found another four mass graves with hundreds more dead children. One in a Catholic area, another in a nonconformist area, and one in the Church of England section leaving the question how many other unnamed babies remain in unmarked graves across the country.
The unnamed woman looking for her brothers was told one of them was definitely in the first mass grave but “was not alone”. She is still looking for her other brother. She was told they were probably “top and tailed in the box” when they were buried in the 1960s.
Cllr Hurley told The Independent: “This is the biggest thing I have ever faced as a councillor. I’ve gone through every emotion from anger to hate – to absolute devastation. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. There was a ‘glitch in the system’ as to why the records hadn’t been put up online. Hearing about what happened to these people is just harrowing.
Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Five rescued 24 hours after yacht capsized in Red Sea
Search continues for seven people, including two Britons
Pakistan authorities launch operation to clear Islamabad
Move follows clashes in the capital between police and supporters of Imran Khan which have left six people dead
World's oldest man dies at 112, 'surrounded by love'
John Tinniswood was born in 1912, the year the Titanic sank
UK troops to probe drones mystery at US airbases
Dozens of British soldiers have been drafted in to help the US find out who is responsible for flying more mystery drones over three air bases in England.
Will our rat-infested prisons forever be a low priority?
Appalling conditions in English and Welsh prisons have been caused by years of underfunding, mismanagement and neglect, according to Elisabeth Davies, the national chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards.
Dilapidated prisons harmful to inmates, report finds
Inmates in the crumbling prison estate have been bitten by rates and venomous spiders, according to a new report that lays bare the state of prisons in England and Wales.
Pub owner started election petition after googling 'how to change prime minister'
The pub landlord behind a viral petition calling for a general election has revealed why he decided to start it. Michael
Irish leader's election gaffe threatens Brexit reset hopes
Sir Keir Starmer risks a blow to his pledge to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit amid fears one of his key allies could be ousted in Friday’s elections in Ireland.
Press for EU defence ties, Labour MPs urge Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has been pressed by his own MPs to go faster in pursuing closer relations with Europe on defence and security, amid an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and fears for global security.
Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs get to vote
The assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment that could stop it in its tracks.
