Obituary

OBITUARY S.E. RIGOLD, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S., F.R.S.A., F.R.N.S. 'Riggy', as he was affectionately known to his host of friends and colleagues, died suddenly on July 5th, 1980, and with his death the world of scholarship at large and this Society in particular have lost immensely more than mere words can ever convey. Stuart Eborall Rigold was born in 1919 in this County and went to school at Sutton Valence before completing his education at St. Andrew's University and St. Peter's Hall, Oxford; during the last war, he served with the Ultra team of code-breakers at Bletchley. In 1948, Stuart Rigold joined the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments of the then Ministry of Works, rising to the rank of Principal Inspector from which post of defender of our heritage he had retired only a few months before his untimely death; in 1955, he joined this Society and, a member of its Council and various committees for many years, gave most sound advice and valuable service. His archaeological interests were many and varied, as witness the numerous publications in this country and abroad, and his particular interest in Kentish archaeology is clear from the pages of this journal. Oddly enough, the scholarly publications that flowed from his fertile mind often helped to conceal the warmth of the man behind the pen. Few of those present at the Antiquaries on Thursday evenings will readily forget the thrill of anticipation whilst waiting for 'Riggy' to be called upon to contribute to the lecture in his own inimitable style, or the sight of the man, his unruly locks reflecting his indomitable spirit, about to engage in yet another futile skirmish with his pipe whose emanations often appeared to induce him to launch forth in engaging digressions. Above all, 'Riggy' carried his undoubted erudition lightly and was ever eager to share his knowledge with others; in the field where he seemed in constant 429