Charlotte Fleming, Funeral Director from Cowshill, oversees the burial of Baby Auckland
THE remains of a baby found during renovations in a building in Fore Bondgate have been laid to rest in a poignant ceremony in Bishop Auckland.
The baby, a boy, was discovered in 2024, in a building used many years ago as a Mother and Baby home, run by nuns. The remains of the new-born were wrapped in a newspaper dated 1910 but carbon dating suggests the date of birth to be much earlier – up to two centuries before the newspaper was published. The building, however, is not that old so Police are more inclined to look to the date of the newspaper. He had a ligature around his neck and foul play has not been ruled out as a cause of death.
The Durham Registration Service in the county took over the preparations for burial along with the Police and Durham County Council taking the responsibility for his funeral, overseen by Superintendent Registrar, Anne Robson.
An inquest was opened in the Coroner’s Office in Crook and adjourned until next month but the service in Bishop Auckland went ahead today (April 27th). Charlotte Fleming, Funeral Director, from Cowshill, was given the task of organising the burial in the children’s section of Bishop Auckland cemetery. Her single hearse was preceded through the graveyard by a Police Motor Cycle outrider, slowly escorting the cortege to the final resting place with Charlotte and the officer in charge of the inquiry – Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland – walking behind.
The cortege was greeted by Celebrant, Gemma Dobson, a former student of Wolsingham School who lives in Tow Law. Gemma, a Qualified Registrar and sought after for funeral services locally, began by welcoming those present – mostly from the local and national press although there was a line of local dignitaries, including County Councillor Cathy Hunt and a few members of the public, saying it was a privilege to lead the service in such a quiet and beautiful place: to lay to rest a child who has been given the name of Baby Auckland.
Superintendent Registrar, Anne Robson, reading her poem at the service.
‘We come together in stillness and respect, with a shared sense of compassion and desire to acknowledge a life, long forgotten. In giving this child a name, we recognise his place among us; a name given with hope, a name that holds a community and a promise that this child will always be a part of it and remembered.
‘It is often said that every life, no matter how brief, leaves a mark upon this world and today, we are here because that is true. Although we do not know the details of his days, we stand here, knowing something simple– that this child was here and this child is worthy of love, dignity and rest.
‘Today, Baby Auckland is not alone. He is housed in the thoughts of those who have cared for him and the kindness that has brought him to this moment – and in the hearts of the people of Bishop Auckland. May Baby Auckland be surrounded by tenderness, carried in a file of remembrance and always be held by this community. May this place be where he is known, honoured and remembered.’
Gemma then invited DCI Mel Sutherland to say some words of his own. He said ‘Together, we gather to honour a life, long held in silence; a life worthy of being seen and of being remembered. A quiet and gentle moment as we lay you to rest. You are not alone today, we are here with you and although we did not know you in life, we are here now. We offer our presence, our care and our kindness as we now say goodbye.’
Gemma invited Superintendent Anne Robson who is in charge of the County’s Registration Office based in The Story, Durham to read a poem she had composed herself. A poignant and moving poem, which reduced some to tears as their thoughts turned to that newborn who never had an opportunity to live, to laugh, to love. Ms Robson’s words struck a chord with those who were listening, including the hardened press who may have thought they had seen everything – until that point.
Gemma Dobson then closed the funeral service with more wonderful worlds, saying, ‘As we gather to say farewell today, we realise that Baby Auckland will be part of this place, this quiet, beautiful place for all time. In the warmth of the Summer, the cool of the winter, the freshness of the Spring and the mists of Autumn, he will be at peace. He will rest now, under wide, open skies, as we commit Baby Auckland’s body to the safe depths of the earth, which sustains the new generation of all life.
‘Earth to earth, dust to dust, wherever you are, may you be cradled in stillness and rest in quiet peace may you be carried softly in thoughts and memory and always surrounded by care. May you belong in the hearts of those who remember you and may you rest now, calm and still, in a place of peace.
‘Baby Auckland, you are named, you are remembered. May the earth lie softly above him, may the sky stretch wide and calm, may the lights of each new day and the quiet of each new night bring a sense of peace to this place and may Baby Auckland be held in lasting memory, remembered not in sorrow but in care.’
She thanked all of those who attended before the line of dignitaries, including another, uniformed police offer and local councillors, all laid wreaths and flowers on the tiny grave with the brass plaque at its head to mark the spot where Baby Auckland will finally find rest for all eternity.
Celebrant, Gemma Dobson (right) who led the service for Baby Auckland along with Charlotte Fleming, Funeral Director (centre)
Photographs by Jo Ridley.
