Anthony Fortescue: High Sheriff of Cornwall who spent 14 years restoring historic family home, Boconnoc House

Fortescue was appointed High Sheriff in March this year and in September exercised his ancient right to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge, as a fund-raising stunt for National Crimebeat

Fortescue: ‘When I get cracking on something I like to see it through,’ he said (South West News Service)

Anthony Fortescue was the High Sheriff of Cornwall, a Royal appointment made annually, dating back to Saxon times. The "Shire Reeve" was originally responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order and collection of taxes, within the shire or county. Then, as now, supporting the Crown and the judiciary were central elements of his role as High Sheriff.

Fortescue was appointed in March this year and in September exercised his ancient right to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge, as a fund-raising stunt for National Crimebeat, the crime prevention charity which he supported. "As a Freeman of the City of London and a Livery Member of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, I have a historic right to drive sheep across London Bridge," he said. "In the days when sheep were taken to market everyone who crossed London Bridge with a herd paid a toll but livery men were allowed to cross free of charge, which is where the tradition comes from.''

He and his wife Elizabeth lived at Boconnoc, a 7,500 acre country estate near Lostwithiel in south-east Cornwall. The house and estate, which dates back to 1086, had been uninhabited since just after the Second World War, when it had been used as an ammunition dump by American forces.

His family had owned the estate since 1864. It had earlier been the home of Thomas Pitt – grandfather of Prime Minister William Pitt – who sold the Pitt Diamond and bought the estate with the proceeds. Boconnoc was subsequently the home of William Wyndham Grenville, Lord Grenville, son of Prime Minister George Grenville in the mid-18th century. During the last century the estate had passed to Anthony Fortescue's great uncle, George Fortescue, just before the war, thence to Anthony's father, Captain Desmond Fortescue, appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1966.

Anthony Fortescue was born in 1946 and educated at Eton. A furniture restorer by trade, he took on the property in 1997 by buying out the shares of other family members in the inheritance. Beginning the enormous task of restoring the house and estate, he faced costs then conservatively estimated at some £860,000.

Writing in 2000, the architectural historian, Giles Worsley, noted: "By rights, Boconnoc House in Cornwall should be just another statistic on that long, tragic list of demolished country houses. Visitors admiring the atmospheric church at Boconnoc would note the fragmentary evidence of garden terraces, glance out at the splendid park landscape and realise, mournfully, that where they were standing had once been the site of a great mansion." Indeed, a part of the house had been demolished. One wing too badly damaged to be restored was taken down in 1972.

But by selling two barns to be converted into homes Fortescue was able to raise sufficient money to fund a portion of the work, including a complete renewal of the slate roof. Interviewed three years into the project he said, "I've always said that I'd never destroy the estate by going mad on the house. I don't mind taking on the house to a certain figure, but I'm not a bottomless pit."

Using original drawings, maps and designs from the time, Fortescue sought to restore the property to its former glories, inspired by the era of Lord Grenville and his wife Anne, daughter of the 1st Lord Camelford. By 2011 the works were complete and Fortescue's dream had been realised. "Some people thought we would never do it, but when I get cracking on something I like to see it through!" he told an interviewer earlier this year.

His efforts gained him two awards in 2012: the Historic Houses Association/Sotheby's Restoration Award and the Georgian Group Architectural Award for the Restoration of a Country Mansion. The estate was used a set for films such as The Three Musketeers (1993) and the BBC2 production of Daphne, and is a popular venue for fairs and weddings.

He had attended a Remembrance Sunday service on the eve of his death. He was found shot dead on his estate. Police spoke of a "firearms incident" and confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances. His wife Elizabeth said in tribute, "Our daughters Clare and Sarah and I are so proud of all that Anthony created at Boconnoc. We and all the team at Boconnoc will miss him so deeply."

Colonel Edward Thomas Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall and former High Sheriff, said, "Anthony Fortescue played an important role in Cornish life for many years. In particular, his restoration of Boconnoc House has been a triumph of inspiration and optimism. Anthony achieved an enormous amount in his life and was much-loved by all who knew him. He was a family man and a true gentleman. He will be very much missed, but his achievements will live on."

Anthony Fortescue, furniture restorer and landowner: born 7 February 1946; married 1997 Elizabeth (two daughters); died Boconnoc, Cornwall 9 November 2015.