THE ashes of the late Romilly Squire of Rubislaw have been laid besides the grave of his ancestors at Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton.

Mr Squire, who died on December 7, 2016, at the age of 63, and was an artist, actor and heraldic consultant, a Past Master of Lodge Holyrood House (St Luke’s) 44 and Fellow of the Heraldry Society of Scotland.

He visited Whitechapel Church in 2008, where some of his ancesters are buried, and stated in his will that his ashes be spread besides the grave of his great, great, great, great grandparents.

Last year Edinburgh solicitors had advised the church of his death and last week they attended a brief service to bury his ashes by the family grave.

Executor Sheriff George Way presented the church with the heraldic Hatchment painted for his funeral and also a copy of the Scottish Clan and Family Encyclopaedia, which he and Mr Squire co-wrote. Hatchments were historically painted for erection in churches connected with the deceased or his family and this is the work of the Ross Herald of Arms.

Whitechapel vicar Revd Brunel James said: "It was a great honour to return the remains of a generous and distinguished man to his ancestral turf - and lovely to meet some of his close friends and colleagues, including Sheriff George A Way of Plean, splendidly attired for the occasion in the ceremonial dress of Royal Household of Scotland."