The East Neuk of Fife boasts one of Scotland’s most picturesque stretches of coastline. The village of Kilconquhar sits inland from the coast. Sitting next to Kinconquhar Loch, the town is dominated by the attractive Georgian Parish Church designed by the celebrated Dickson Brothers. Opened in 1821, the church sits beside the remains of its predecessor and is surrounded by various headstones and memorials. The churchyard is the resting place of eighteen-year-old Robert Pollock. Robert died on December 4th 1918, at Cairn Farm following a ten-day battle with influenza. The familial headstone is in excellent condition.
Robert was born at Cairn Farm on July 28th 1900. He was the first (and only) child of Alexander, a farmer, and Agnes (nee Mitchell). The couple had married the year before in Galston, Ayrshire. Robert was eight months old when the Census was taken in 1901. He resided with his parents and his uncle William. Interestingly, his parents were in their forties when he was born, making him a late baby, which likely explains why he was their only child.
Sadly, Alexander died on Halloween 1906, aged forty-eight, when Robert was only six. Following Alexander’s death, William likely took over the farm. At the 1911 Census, Agnes and Robert still resided at Cairn Farm. Robert now aged ten, was attending school.
When he died, Robert was employed as an “assistant farmer,” suggesting that if he had lived, he would have taken over the farm. By his occupation, he would have avoided mandatory conscription into the armed forces.
His loss would have been devastating for Agnes and William. Agnes died at Lundin Links on September 5th 1921, and was interred with her husband and son.
Sources: Ancestry, Scotland’s People, Wikipedia
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