Henry (Harry) Anquetil, a horticultural expert and formerly head gardener at St Andrews University, has died, aged 88.
Much of the beauty and design of the grounds across the St Andrews University campus comes from his planning and hands as head gardener there and at its botanic garden.
Even after he retired, he still enjoyed strolling around the university grounds commenting on the flowers, plants and shrubs and giving unofficial tours to students and visitors.
Originally from Ightham, a village near Sevenoaks in Kent, Mr Anquetil’s great-great grandfather was rescued as a boy during the French Revolution by the nobleman Sir Percy Blakeney — the Scarlet Pimpernel — and safely brought across the Channel to England to escape the guillotine.
He started work with his nurseryman father, who ran his own business, and during the second world war he served as a special policeman in the RAF. He was stationed for a time in Tealing where he was to meet his wife to be, Grace.
The couple, who were married in All Saints Church, St Andrews, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in July.
On their return to civilian life, the couple returned to Kent, Mr Anquetil to restart working with his father and Fife-born Grace resuming her nursing career.
After just over two years, he took up a post as a gardener at St Andrews University. He was eventually appointed head gardener, a position he held until he retired in 1987.
Mr Anquetil joined the former St Andrews and District Horticultural Association — now the St Andrews Gardeners’ Club — in 1947. He served on its committee for several decades and was also its long-time chairman and latterly its president.
He was a prolific exhibitor at shows across Fife — a renowned expert in many fields, including rock plants and roses — and his expertise was also called as a judge for many years.
He was a member of the Fife Rock Garden Group and a regular attender at the Chelsea Flower Show over the years.
In recognition of his long service he was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Medal in 1987.
He was a member of the Friends of the St Andrews Botanic Garden and Holy Trinity Parish Church.
He enjoyed several sports and was a keen cricketer as a young man, and a long-time member of St Andrews Golf Club, as well as a stalwart supporter of St Andrews United Juniors FC.
He is survived by Grace and daughter Louise.