As Band isn't the commonest surname in the Crail area, I should imagine that those who have just been mentioned were related to the David Band born in Crail in 1789, the 8th and last child of James Band and Isabel Wilkie. David Band's adventurous life was described by a descendant in Australia in the Fife Family History Society journals of September and December 1997. His story has been repeated in the latest edition of the journal, for Spring 2015.
David Band went to sea and was taken prisoner by the French. While in French captivity he wrote a poem of 19 pages which is in the possession of his descendant in Australia who wrote the articles. She kindly sent me a copy some years ago when we were corresponding.
After his release from French captivity, David followed the example of many other East Neuk natives by going to the Arctic whaling, and in 1837 he was one of 33 crew members of the Advice of Dundee who perished after the ship had been beset by the ice and the crew succumbed to the cold, lack of exercise and scurvy.
I was born in Crail in 1946 but brought up 4 miles to the east in Cellardyke, and one of our neighbours there was a Mr. Band who owned a garage and ran the local taxi service (of one taxi!).
Harry
