IN this week's Hometown Heroes series David Allan looks at a family who produced one of Scotland's most famous players.

David Baxter was born on the 17th November 1910 at 27 Main Street, Lumphinnans. His father Bob Baxter originally hailed from Burntisland. Bob Baxter had played football for Burntisland and also was a member of Burntisland Town Band. He joined Raith Rovers in 1902 after having served in the Black Watch. He held the King’s and Queen’s Medals for the South African War.

Bob could play in any of the half back positions but was normally right half and he became an important presence in the Kirkcaldy side. He was soon appointed captain of Raith Rovers. Then in April 1904, he broke his ankle playing in a Fife League match against Cowdenbeath. Raith Rovers and Cowden arranged to play a benefit match for him a month later. Bob remained on the books of Raith Rovers for a few years but never played again.

He then moved to live in Lumphinnans to work in the local pits having previously worked on the railway. Bob Baxter volunteered for active service when the Great War broke out and re-enlisted in the Black Watch at Cowdenbeath. Private Baxter arrived in France on 22nd April 1915. Exactly 3 weeks later, on 13th May, he was killed in action in the trenches. Bob Baxter is remembered on the Lumphinnans War Memorial.

Dave Baxter was therefore less than 5 years old when he lost his father. He, along with his younger brother Bob, were brought up in Lumphinnans by James Curran who had become their step-father. Dave inherited his father’s footballing ability and was right half for Lumphinnans School and the Cowdenbeath & District Schools side. He played in a trial for the Scottish schoolboys’ side.

His first club was the YMCA side Kinross Red Triangle. Then he played in the 1931 Scottish Juvenile Cup final for Thornton Hibs. He went junior with Bowhill Rovers that same year. Tommy Muirhead then took Dave to St Johnstone in 1934. Soon after when playing for St Johnstone versus Dunfermline at East End Park Dave went on a darting run up the field with the ball at his feet. Watching on the sidelines was his stepfather James Curran who in the excitement suddenly collapsed and died.

In May 1936, Sandy Archibald fixed up Davie for Raith Rovers and he was to be a member of their record breaking 2nd Division championship winning team in 1937/38. Davie was the man who made the Rovers side tick. He was with Raith Rovers for 4 years until 1940 and scored 6 times in 109 appearances for the Langtonians.

Dave’s younger brother was Bob Baxter. Bob was a winger and he played in the juveniles for Cowdenbeath Excelsior. He then played junior with Inverkeithing Juniors, Crossgates Primrose and Hearts of Beath plus one game for Raith Rovers. He married Agnes Denholm who was from a well-known Hill of Beath footballing family.

A baby named James Curran was born on September 29th 1939 in Kirkcaldy Maternity. James was then adopted at birth by Bob (his mother’s step brother) and Agnes Baxter. I wonder whatever happened to this young lad who was renamed James Curran Baxter?

Dave Baxter worked as a timekeeper and Father Time caught up with him at the age of 71. He died at his home at Wardlaw Street, Cowdenbeath in 1982. Dave’s wife Helen lived to the age of 98 and died in Cowdenbeath in 2010. His brother Bob died in 2001, just a few months after his very famous son Jim died.