The story of William Henderson is one of the saddest I have encountered. William rests with his parents in Bennochy Cemetery, Kirkcaldy. A short walk from the railway station, Bennochy Cemetery is on a gentle slope and boasts an impressive collection of elaborate headstones. William’s headstone is located within the eastern perimeter wall and is in excellent condition. He passed away on November 22nd from influenza and pneumonia while boarding at Alywin College, Arnside, Westmorland, Cumbria, at the young age of 15. He was an only child. His passing and the resulting sorrow felt by his parents vividly demonstrate the harsh impact of pandemics.
William Paterson Henderson was born at 28 North Street, Lochgelly, on February 2nd, 1903, to Peter Henderson, a mining engineer, and Margaret (née Walker). The couple had only married four months earlier, in October 1902. This meant that William was conceived before his parents’ marriage, which was considered a controversial and stigmatized situation at that time.
When the 1911 Census was conducted, 8-year-old William stayed in the family home. He would later be enrolled as a boarding student at Alywin College. His father’s occupation as an engineer likely provided the means to send William to public school.
William’s address at the time of his death was Lauriel Cottage, Station Road, Lochgelly. The college principal faced the daunting responsibility of officially recording his passing.
Sources: General Register Office (GRO), Scotland’sPeople
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