A Young Boy's Grave

An impromptu visit to Lancashire's Darwen Cemetery allowed me to make a visit to a young boy's grave. It's the third time I have visited it but this time the light conditions were just right for photography. The inscription states: 'Sweet memories of James, beloved son of John and Lily Ann Young. Died 13 November 1935 aged 5 years 11 months'. His father died in 1955 aged 57 and his mother died in 1969 aged 69.

The White Lady

One of the many impressive graves in Darwen Cemetery is that of Martha Jane Bury 1850-1913. Her remarkable memorial is referred to as The White Lady. According to the Friends of Darwen Cemetery, Martha was a stalwart of the Cooperative Movement and a staunch supporter of the rights of working-class women. She was also involved in Darwen's Temperance Movement. Fuller details can be found HERE.

I found many references to what is probably an apocryphal tale about the White Lady. Evidently, among other things, her eyes open if poked! She is said to be a very violent ghost and is the talk of pensioners around the town. It is claimed she killed a group of teenagers who went on a camping trip in the late 1980s, within two hours of them visiting her grave!

Whatever the truth, there is no denying it is a remarkable memorial to a wonderful woman!

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