HISTORIAN Hugh Murray has been buried at the place he loved and where he spent many happy years as a volunteer – York Cemetery.

More than 150 people, including his widow, Jill, gathered at a packed funeral in the cemetery’s restored chapel to celebrate his life and prolific works.

Mr Murray, who died recently aged 80, was referred to as “truly a son of York” by Darrell Buttery, president of York Civic Trust.

“Hugh carried his scholarship so lightly yet gave of his knowledge so generously,” said Mr Buttery.

“He came from that distinguished line of York historians which included Francis Drake, TP Cooper, Dr A Evelyn and George Benson. Hugh was another such meticulous historian and a prolific author. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Richard Keesing, chairman of the cemetery trustees, said Mr Murray was invited to research the history of the cemetery, which had become bankrupt under ownership by the city and had been left locked up and abandoned at one point only to be taken over by the Crown.

He said Mr Murray researched the property thoroughly, including the thousands of graves and people interred, and discovered spare capacity for future burials which continued to this day.

Sinclair Rogers, a close friend from Hugh’s early days in Norwich, told many amusing tales of his early life, university, National Service and later his occupation on the railways in signals engineering.

The service was led by the Rev Tim Jones.