Above is an unusual novelty postcard sent from Largo during the First World War. The image of warfare seems an odd choice for a holiday postcard, as does the pun 'things are booming at Largo'. However, it was topical and someone saw fit to send it to their nephew. Here is what was written on the reverse...
Dear Tom,
We are spending our holiday at Lundin Links this time instead of Largo. Robert does not spend so much of his time at the shore. He is so taken up with the soldiers. There are a lot of them here. I should have written your mother before this but will do so soon. Glad father keeps busy and trust you are all well. Grandma took a bad turn two days ago and gave us a fright but she is feeling better now.
Trust you are all well. With best love from all to all.
I am your loving Aunt Kate.
This message suggests that Robert is a child who is fascinated by the presence of many soldiers around Lundin Links at the time. We know that the Highland Cyclist Battalion had men in Lundin Links and that soldiers were billeted in houses such as Fir Park and St Catherine's. Many of those soldiers would not have survived the conflict. Of the 284 men of Largo Parish that served in World War One, 51 lost their lives and have their names inscribed on Largo War Memorial.
The postcard has a flap on the front, which conceals a pull-out strip featuring twelve small black and white photographs from around Largo. These include the usual suspects of the Standing Stones, Crusoe Statue, Upper Largo Kirk, Largo Harbour, Kiel's Den and Lundin Tower. Below are two of the less widely-used images, showing Lower Largo from the sands (west and east views).
The above image clearly shows the bellcote of Largo St David's Church to the right and the old 'Butter's Buildings' to the left of White House. Below is the stretch between the (almost) the Orry to the left and (almost) Cardy House to the right.
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