Glenys Mary Wenlock

Glenys Mary Wenlock died from a septic abortion.

She had been a boot and shoe machine operator in Daventry and had lived at 14 North Close in Braunston.

She was taken to the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby after becoming ill but kept secret from the hospital staff the fact that she was 10 to 12 weeks pregnant. She died on Saturday 16 December 1961 following an operation.

Following her death her parents had her body embalmed and brought to the front room of their council house where it stayed for Christmas where they surrounded it by her Christmas presents. However, it was reported that on 28 December 1961 that her heartbroken parents took the still unwrapped presents from around her embalmed body and replaced them with wreaths for her funeral which took place at the parish church.

Her mother said, 'We could not bear to be away from her at Christmas. Many people won't understand us, but we felt we must have her at home. Her presents were placed around her coffin on Christmas Day. They had to be put away today to make room for the flowers. Christmas has been a heartbreak for us, and we just could not be without her'.

Her father had been a shot-blaster at the English Electric Works in Rugby.