Memorial unveiled to stillborn babies in unmarked graves

Jun 11 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Memorial unveiled to stillborn babies in unmarked graves

PARENTS of children buried in unmarked graves turned out for the unveiling of a memorial stone to their loved ones.

The memorial to stillborn children and babies who died just after birth was unveiled by faith leaders in a ceremony at Edgerton Cemetery yesterday.

About 60 parents and relatives of the children came to pay their respects and lay flowers on the memorial.

The stone, designed by Batley artist Eric Medlock, commemorates hundreds of babies who were buried in unmarked graves around the cemetery.

It was crafted by Huddersfield stone mason Fred Evans.

Vicar of Huddersfield, the Rev Catherine Ogle led the ceremony followed by addresses from the area’s Catholic, Muslim, Sikh, Baha’i and Quaker leaders.

In prayer, the Rev Ogle said: “May it stand as a faithful witness that their lives, though brief, were precious beyond words, and that though they are gone from our sight they are not forgotten.”

It had been policy for councils, on behalf of health authorities, to bury stillborn babies in unmarked graves.

Bruce Jackson, whose stillborn son was buried anonymously at the cemetery in 1984, has led a campaign for a memorial stone and for the unmarked graves to be identified.

Mr Jackson said: “The memorial is fine. I’m pleased with what’s been achieved and I’m grateful to Kirklees Council.

“It’s been a tortuous journey and there have been setbacks. But we’ve got something worthwhile.