Ex-detective reveals his belief on identity of ‘Unknown Bairn’

TAYPORT: Boy most likely to have been in Travelling community

A former detective who investigated the mystery of the “Unknown Bairn” in Tayport 47 years ago says he believes the child was “definitely” part of the Travelling community.

Retired policeman Bob Beveridge, of Falkland, who worked with Fife CID at the time, has told The Courier he is “quite sure” he knows the identity of the child found on the banks of the Tay.

However, he believes it would be a “shame” for that identity to ever be made public now and will not publicly disclose it.

Tayport man Ian Robertson found the body of the boy, thought to be between three and four, while walking his dog at the beach on May 23 1971.

Despite a nationwide appeal, he was never identified

In the absence of a family, people from across the UK sent money to erect a gravestone in his memory, which now stands in Tayport Cemetery.

Although the official post-mortem examination ruled the death was “apparently due to drowning”, Mr Beveridge says the pathologist found the boy had died of natural causes beforehand.

“We had arrested two Travelling people who were suspected of being the parents of the child,” said Bob, now 75.

“At that time these Travelling people were known to have been in the vicinity.

“Today, forensic evidence – DNA – would be possible, but at that time it fell short of evidence and the parents will be long gone now.”

Bob recalled that two Travelling people, or tinkers as they were known, were on a bus travelling near Thornton and were under the influence of alcohol when they were heard acting suspiciously.

“The lady – the old deary – was greetin’ her heart out over the loss of her boy and the man kept saying ‘shut up you’ll get us both the jail’,” said Bob.

“This was overheard by witnesses. But by the time we traced them the alcohol had worn off and they were absolutely saying nothing by the time they were brought to the police station.

“I’m quite sure I know the identity of that child – but it would be a shame to have him identified now because you know something, every year and sometimes from all corners of the world, people will come and have a special service for the Unknown Bairn on the anniversary.

“If he was identified he would lose his fame.”

Mr Beveridge noted a lot of tinkers lived in cold damp tents around that time. It is his view the child probably died of pneumonia and rather than having a confrontation with the authorities, his body was slipped into the water.

“The only crime they really had committed was the technical one of failing to register a death,” he added.

I’m quite sure I know the identity of that child – but it would be a shame to have him identified now. BOB BEVERIDGE

Ian Robertson placing flowers on the grave of the little boy, or “Unknown Bairn”, he found washed up on the beach at Tayport in 1971.