Fr. Cairns and the Chow family at Xinchang, China,1926

This is a photograph of "Rev. Robert J. Cairns, M.M. [pastor of Sunchong, now Xinchang] and a Catholic family. Standing left to right, Fr. Cairns, Francis Xavier Chow. Seated Mrs. F.X. Chow [wife], Miss Chow [sister] and Mrs. Chow [mother]." They are posed on delicate chairs with a scenic background and are dressed in lovely clothing. The younger women both wear wrist watches.; Fr. Cairns was born in Glasgow, Scotland and became a Maryknoll Missionary in 1918 at the age of thirty-four. He spent many years in China in Yeung Kong [now Yang-Chiang], Fachow [now Fahsien] and eventually Sancian Island. During WWII he was captured by the Japanese on Sancian Island and killed. His presumed date of death is December 14, 1941.