He was buried on May the 27th in Tayport cemetery, and money poured in from all over Scotland to an appeal fund for a memorial marker for him. The headstone was erected on July 5th, 1971 and its inscription reads "Erected in memory of the 'Unknown Bairn', a wee boy aged between two and four years, found on the beach at Tayport, May 23rd 1971. 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.'"
Friday 21 May 2010
The Mystery of the Unknown Bairn
On the 23rd of May, 1971, a local postman, John Robertson, was walking on the beach at Tayport when he came across the body of a small child. The child was a little boy, aged between two and four years old. There was nothing to suggest that the little boy had died of anything other than natural causes but, despite exhaustive police enquiries and widespread publicity given to those enquiries, the child's identity was never discovered.
He was buried on May the 27th in Tayport cemetery, and money poured in from all over Scotland to an appeal fund for a memorial marker for him. The headstone was erected on July 5th, 1971 and its inscription reads "Erected in memory of the 'Unknown Bairn', a wee boy aged between two and four years, found on the beach at Tayport, May 23rd 1971. 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.'"
This all happened almost 39 years ago but, although various theories have been put forward as to who he was and how he died, the mystery of who he was and what happened to him has not been solved, and probably never will be now. However flowers and toys are still laid at the grave of the Unknwn Bairn , and each year Tayport Council lays flowers there as a sign that he is not forgotten.
He was buried on May the 27th in Tayport cemetery, and money poured in from all over Scotland to an appeal fund for a memorial marker for him. The headstone was erected on July 5th, 1971 and its inscription reads "Erected in memory of the 'Unknown Bairn', a wee boy aged between two and four years, found on the beach at Tayport, May 23rd 1971. 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.'"
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I read this yesterday but didn't really know what to say... but I love your stories and I want to read more! :)
ReplyDeleteThe story of the Unknown Bairn is desperately sad. John Robertson, known as "Ian the Postie" tended the child's grave until his own death a few years ago, and is buried close by. His family still visit the Bairn's grave, and the people of the town still lay flowers on the Bairn's grave each year.
ReplyDeleteThat's very sad. Poor wee thing. His mother would be about 60 now.
ReplyDeleteThis wee boy was and is embedded in the soul of our family. Whoever his parents were by circumstance we have shared your grief and he rests beside my dad who adopted him in his heart. They didn't know each other in this life but they can hug each other close now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment Fay xx
DeleteThe prevailing theory is he was the child of 'tinkers' ie poor travelling folk, not gypsies. A drunken couple were heard in nearby Glenrothes town arguing about a child they had lost, they were brought in for questioning, at which the woman became quite distraught when pushed. The man reacted angrily and told her to be quiet and say no more. With no evidence to go on, and as a result of her distress, they had no reason to hold the couple and they were released. They disappeared and were never seen again.
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