THE solving of a years-long mystery about the York railway books of remembrance for both world wars has been celebrated by a family visit.

Alfred H Hunter, founder of Harrisons Signs of York, wrote the names in the two books listing all the North Eastern Railway and London & North Eastern railwaymen killed in the two conflicts.

They were displayed in the British Rail York headquarters on Station Rise where the head porter turned a page every day until they were moved to the National Railway Museum (NRM).

Museum staff did not know the identity of their author and illuminator, until Harrisons Signs revealed the story of their creation.

Now Alfred Hunter’s son Jack has visited the museum to see his father’s work at close hand.

He said: “It’s just wonderful to see it in real life. I can’t believe it’s been on our doorstep the whole time, it’s very emotional.”

Peter Thorpe, library services supervisor at the National Railway Museum, said: “We’ve wondered for years who the illustrator and writer of the book was and we’re delighted that Harrisons have shed some light on the author.

“It’s a fascinating piece of information and we’re delighted to learn something new about this item.”

Amanda Taylor, marketing manager at Harrison Signs, said: “We’re thrilled that we’ve managed to track down the book and to see it in person. Harrison Signs is a fourth generation business in York and it’s lovely to join the dots between the history of our business to the book.”

There are 2,236 names in the First World War book and 551 in the Second World War book.

The museum is marking the tenth year of Search Engine, the project enabling people to explore its archive and to find out more about their past or ancestors.