Rauceby Hospital cemetery volunteers called upon to help trace last resting place of patient

The Friends of Rauceby Hospital Cemeteries is a campaign group set up by those wishing to recognise and preserve the long-neglected burial grounds that served the former Rauceby Hospital, near Sleaford.

The hospital closed in 1997 and most of the site has been redeveloped for housing, however the cemeteries remained.

A campaign was set up by locals and gained support from Sleaford Town Council which has now taken charge of the two sites on Willoughby Road, Greylees.

From time to time, the Friends get contacted by relatives of former Rauceby patients, who passed away but were not buried in the two attached cemeteries.

A spokesperson for the group explained: “We, of course, assist in finding the final resting place of their loved ones, and usually it is pretty straightforward.

“However, we have been contacted by a lady who is trying to locate her uncle's ashes.”

Geoffrey Montague Parbles was born in Peterborough on March 22, 1925 to Nellie May Parbles, who was unmarried at the time of his birth. No father is named on his birth certificate, although subsequent DNA testing carried out on his relatives has suggested his biological father was likely George Clark.

In 1933, Geoffrey appeared in a local newspaper as a pupil at St Mary's Infants School in Peterborough, although his first name was incorrectly spelt with a "J". The 1939 Register records him, aged 14, living with his mother, maternal grandfather and siblings at 129 Eastgate, Peterborough, where he worked as a "Slot Boy" at the local gas works, collecting money from gas meters.

Family members believe Geoffrey had a learning disability and that he entered Rauceby Hospital at around the age of 14, although the Friends are still trying to establish exactly when and why he was admitted. It is believed he spent around 70 years in institutional care before moving, following Rauceby's closure, to Byron House care home in Skegness, where he remained until his death on July 18, 2009.

Geoffrey's niece, Tracey Parbles, who contacted the Friends, remembers hearing about him as a child: "As a child I was told I had another uncle who was in an asylum and that my uncle Reginald used to pay visits to him and take him boxing magazines that he and my father would buy for him."

Geoffrey received a public health funeral arranged by East Lindsey District Council. His funeral was carried out by Co-op Funeral Care, Cleethorpes, and he was cremated at Alford Crematorium on August 3, 2009. Cremation records show his ashes were released to the applicant the following day and include the name Philip Lames as the person who collected them. Unfortunately, they have been unable to establish who Philip Lames was or what became of Geoffrey's ashes. As Geoffrey died in 2009, they are now outside the statutory record retention period for funeral directors, meaning very few records remain. Alford Crematorium has been incredibly helpful with enquiries, but no further information has been found.

Contact has also been made with the council and the care home, but no further information has come to light.

On the grave of his mother, there is a small handmade wooden plaque, however Eastfield Cemetery, Peterborough have confirmed he is not interred in the grave

By sharing Geoffrey's story, the Friends hope to hear from anyone who remembers him, visited him, cared for him at Rauceby Hospital or Byron House, or has any information about Philip Lames or the whereabouts of Geoffrey's ashes. Even the smallest memory or piece of information could help complete the story of a man whose life has largely remained hidden from history.

Tracey commented: “I recently contacted the Rauceby Hospital friends in the hope of finding out more about my uncle, who was previously unknown to me. They have been incredibly accommodating and are currently helping me with my search.''

Jo Thompson of the Friends of Rauceby Hospital Cemeteries said: "When Tracey contacted us looking for information about her uncle Geoffrey, we were honoured to help. Geoffrey Montague Parbles was a man with his own story, his own interests and people who loved him. His brother regularly made the journey to visit him and brought him boxing magazines, a small but telling detail that speaks of a real relationship and a man who mattered.

“Geoffrey lived at Rauceby Hospital for many years. People with learning disabilities have too often been hidden from public life, their stories untold and their humanity overlooked. This project exists in part to change that by recognising that every person who lived at Rauceby was a full human being deserving of dignity, remembrance and connection. “We are continuing to work to locate Geoffrey's final resting place and we remain committed to helping Tracey find the answer she deserves. If anyone has any information about Geoffrey Montague Parbles, his family connections to Lincolnshire or the Peterborough area, or any knowledge of where his ashes may have been scattered following his cremation in August 2009, please get in touch with the Rauceby Hospital Cemetery Friends. “Nobody should have to wonder where their loved ones finally came to rest."

You can get in touch by emailing [email protected]