Edinburgh family heirloom returns after chance discovery

A book on the history of the Edinburgh Fire Brigade given to Queens Manor resident Betty Roy was found to be the family copy that had belonged to her father after her son recognised a letter tucked inside.

Betty Roy, who lives at Queens Manor care home on Queensferry Road in Edinburgh, received a book on the city's fire service as a Christmas gift from her carer, Clarissa. The book, Aye Ready by Alexander Reid, was chosen because Betty often spoke about her late father, Robert Thomas Wylie, who served as an Assistant Fire Officer at Lauriston Fire Station in the 1930s. When Betty showed the book to her son Ivor, he recognised it as a copy he had inadvertently donated to a charity shop years earlier. A letter addressed to Robert was found inside the book, confirming the family connection. What we know: - The book is titled 'Aye Ready, The History of Edinburgh Fire Brigade, The Oldest Municipal Brigade in Britain' by Alexander Reid. - It was given to Betty by her carer, Clarissa, as a Christmas present. - Betty's father was Robert Thomas Wylie, an Assistant Fire Officer at Lauriston Fire Station in the 1930s. - Betty's son Ivor recognised the book as one he had donated to a charity shop and found an original letter and unused coupons inside. - Staff at Queens Manor described the return of the family copy as a remarkable coincidence and noted its personal value to the family. Summary: The book's return reunited a family copy with Betty and revived personal memories for her and her son, providing a tangible link to her father's service. Undetermined at this time.