Southfield Maternity Home, Bowden

[suds]

Just to report back.

My stillborn sister (born 1943) is also buried in Hale cemetery plot F5. On the next line of the register is another stillborn baby buried in plot F5. My brother is going to visit next week and I'll learn if there is any marker. There won't be a particular family marker I know because my Mum didn't know she was there. However since it is a different plot to others mentioned here it looks like there wasn't a special plot for stillborn babies.

Regards

Suds

[suds]

Hello

A further update:

My brother went to Hale cemetery yesterday and was directed to the grave shown below. The people noted on the gravestone have no relationship to us. The gravestone notes no burials in 1943 so it is unlikely that the stillborn baby was placed in another's coffin. One possibility comes to mind, in the photograph it looks like that is the only grave in the vicinity that doesn't have a stone verge around it. It may have been easier to dig into. Who knows, we'll probably never know.

Regards

Suds

[dawnsh]

Hi Suds

Can you work out from your original photos, the names on the headstones either side or around?

I can then check to see if your brother was sent to the right area.

Dawn

[suds]

Dawn

Many thanks.

As best as I can make out:

To the left

There is a name obscured by a wreath and then below
Harry Shorter
Died 2nd Jany 1938 aged 76 years
Elizabeth Redfern
Died 26th Sept 1952 aged 66? years
Her dear father and mother
Also their daughter
Elsie Mary Unsworth
Died 24th Feby 1976 aged 86 years

To the right

In loving memory of Edith Elwell
Beloved daughter of Frank and Bessie Cowsill
Died 1915 aged ??
“resting”
Also ? the above Frank Cowsill
Daisy bank, barrington, Altrincham
Who died November 26th 1930
Also Margaret Isabel
Younger daughter of the above
Who died May 5th 19??
Aged 24? Years
Her sufferings are over?
Also Bessie
Beloved wife of Frank Cowsill
Died August ?? 1951 aged 81 years

[suds]

Apologies I don't know how that face with a christmas hat got in there.

Regards

Suds

[LizzieW]

I used to walk through Hale Cemetery on my way to school from aged 4 to 11+.  From about 7 onwards I would stop and read the gravestones even though I didn't know anyone buried there.  So a fascination with the past started young with me 

I wonder if my stillborn baby brother is in there somewhere or did the GP just dispose of the baby's body?

[dawnsh]

Christmas smilies come and go, they are seasonal!

[dawnsh]

something is not quite right and I don't know what.

Harry Shorter is in plot F4 along with Elizabeth Redfern Shorter & Elsie Mary Unsworth ut also 27 others.

Frank Cowsill is in F5 along with 56 others.

I'm wondering whether there are 2 Plot F's, one common or public, the other private.

Or consecrated or unconsecrated?

As far as I'm aware, you never get headstones on public or common graves.

[suds]

Dawn

I got a plan from Trafford. See attached

Regards

Suds