Many people (myself included) associate the name ‘Cumbernauld’ with one of several ‘new towns’ constructed in Scotland after the Second World War. An ambitious civil and social engineering project, the New Town of Cumbernauld was built to reduce overpopulation in nearby Glasgow, providing residents of ‘slums’ with proper housing and access to amenities. As a settlement, however, Cumbernauld has a much longer history. Situated close to the M80 Motorway is Cumbernauld Village. The Churchyard and Cemetery are located within a conservation area. Both are attractive, well-cared-for spaces. Typical of most burial grounds in operation during the Spanish Flu Pandemic, Cumbernauld Churchyard contains a mixture of ornate memorials commemorating local magnates and their families, many having made their fortunes in local heavy industries. In contrast, James Taylor’s resting place is marked by a modest headstone. The text is readable; however, the stone has detached from the base.
James died after a six-day battle with influenza on December 30th 1918 at Easter Fannyside Farm, Cumbernauld aged just thirteen.
James Taylor Jr was born at Easter Fannyside on March 3rd 1905 to James Sr, a farmer, and Jane (nee Stewart). He was the couple’s second child and second son. He would spent the entireity of his short life at Easter Fannyside. At the 1911 Census, James aged six was attending school with his brother Peter. The family had expanded with the arrival of his sister Agnes. His parernal aunt Celicia also resided with the family and was employed as a diary maid.
James Sr was present when his younger son died. Whilst the community would be preparing to celebrate the first peacetime Hogmany in five years, the Taylors registered their younger son’s death.
Tragically but not atypically, the Taylor family would endure another influenza-related death shortly after. Jane died barely after her son on January 7th 1919 aged forty-two. She had battled influenza for twelve days and pneumonia for four, likely falling ill at the same times as James. She later succumbed to heart failure and another complication of which I am uncertain. Mother and son were either laid to rest together in Cumberland Churchyard or in close succession. The double-barrelled bereavement would have been devasting for the surviving members of the Taylor family.
James Sr would later join them when he died on October 1st 1961
Sources: Ancestory, Scotland’s People, Wikipedia.
Broken Columns 