SE-Solicitors Assists in Donating Remarkable Historic Photo Collection to Aireborough Historical Society

SE‑Solicitors has proudly donated an extraordinary historic collection of family photographs, diaries and military documents to the Aireborough Historical Society, a rare archive made possible through the estate of the late donor, whose executor entrusted the materials to the firm.

Spanning from the First World War through to the 1950s, the collection offers a vivid window into the lives of Lieutenant Clifford Rigg and his daughter Barbara Rigg. Lieutenant Rigg’s photographs and papers trace his military service in the Near East, including Egypt and Jerusalem, during the First World War. His daughter Barbara’s materials capture her experiences as a member of Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service Reserve during the Second World War.

Among the most captivating items is Barbara’s tiny personal diary, along with her RAF service and release book and other artefacts relating to her time in the Royal Air Force. Beyond its military interest, the collection offers a glimpse into 20th‑century family life, featuring family skiing holidays, seaside trips, and a range of personal items that bring the Riggs’ story to life.

The collection has now been safely transported to the Aireborough Historical Society, founded in 1957 to record and preserve the history of Aireborough in West Yorkshire. The Society was chosen in honour of Lieutenant Rigg’s birthplace, Rawdon, which forms part of Aireborough.

‘A moment of pride’

Over the coming months, the Society will begin cataloguing and digitising the photographs, with plans to make selections available through online archives, ensuring the Rigg family legacy can be explored by future generations.

“We are grateful for this remarkable contribution,” said Elaine Ellwood, President of Aireborough Historical Society. “Collections like this enrich our understanding of the past and strengthen our ability to tell the stories of the people who shaped our community at Aireborough.”

Edyta Boguslawska, Archiver at SE-Solicitors comments: 

“For SE-Solicitors, and for me personally, this is a moment of pride. It reflects our care, not only for the current archives that serve our firm, but also to preserving historical materials that will enrich the local historical society and inspire researchers and history enthusiasts for years to come.”

For more information about the Aireborough Historical Society, please see here: https://aireboroughhistoricalsociety.org.uk/