Heraldic Artist leaves £9,000 to Cleckheaton church

An internationally-renowned heraldic artist has bequeathed £9,000 to Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton, where his ancestors are buried.

Romilly Squire of Rubislaw, Scotland, died on December 7, 2016, aged 63, and had visited Whitechapel Church in 2008, where some of his ancestors are buried,.

He stated in his will that his ashes be spread there, beside a family grave of his great, great, great, great grandfather William Squire.

 The grave stone reads :

            In Memory of

Susannah Wife of William Squire

of Scholes who died the 1st Day

of April 1801 in the 33rd Year

              of her Age.

ALSO of Eleanor their Daughter

who died on the 23rd Day of

March 1784 in the 3rd Year

              of her Age.

AND of other three of their

                                                                                        Children who died in Infancy.

                                                                                          ALSO of Mary his Second

                                                                                       Wife who departed this Life

                                                                                          September 15th 1834

                                                                                                 Aged 62 Years.

                                                                                  ALSO William Squire Husband

                                                                                of the above who departed this

                                                                                 Life August 28th 1850 Aged 84.

                                                                               ALSO Harriet Squire Daughter

                                                                            of the above who died May 13th 1868

                                                                                               Aged 61 Years.

One of his executors, Sheriff George Way said “Romilly Squire, was the doyen of Scottish heraldic artists working at the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh (the equivalent of the College of Arms in London) and had a worldwide reputation.  He was very proud of his ancestry and his own coat of arms records his Yorkshire descent from both the Squires of Cleckheaton and the Parletts”.

Romilly’s line is from Harriet and his mother’s maiden name was Parlett.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also received the same amount.

Last year Edinburgh solicitors advised the church of his death and a brief service is to be held in September to spread his ashes when his executors and family members are expected to attend.

Whitechapel Vicar Revd Brunel James, pictured, said “Everyone at Whitechapel is proud to be associated with this eminent heraldic artist.

"I do hope that his generous gift will inspire others to remember their local church when they draw up their wills. We need help to ensure that priceless ancient buildings like Whitechapel are preserved for future generations”.