THE family of a York man who died from wounds suffered in the First World War is seeking answers to a century-old riddle.

James Gumley will mark the anniversary of his great-grandfather’s death today. But he is also still trying to find out the reasons behind a city-wide commemoration that was held for his relative.

James Alfred Rigney was seriously injured in battle in Lille in the summer of 1914, and brought back to the UK for treatment. He died from his wounds at the age of 24 on September 20, 1914.

Although he is not thought to be the first York man to die in the war, he is believed to be the first city man to receive a full military funeral, which travelled through the city centre and was seen by thousands.

Mr Gumley said he had learned much about his family through research started years ago by his aunt and uncle, and continued with new technology in recent months.

He said: “People didn’t really talk about history and as I looked into my roots, I was quite shocked.”

James and his brother William, who was 26, both died during the first months of the war - although William’s body was never found, and he was listed as missing presumed dead.

Mr Gumley said the records which would explain why James received a full military funeral were also lost when the Ministry of Defence was bombed during the Second World War.

He said: “We can’t find out why he got the funeral he did. It could have been a morale booster, having all those people getting ready to go to war. Another option is he did something heroic, but we can’t find that information out anymore. A third option is it was in recognition of his family for the loss of two sons.

“My auntie also has his ‘death penny’ - a big medal the size of your hand - given to every family whose relative died in the war. His is marked with the number 28." Mr Gumley added that historians had not been able to shed light on the reason for the number 28 on the medal.

Private James Alfred Rigney served with the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, and was buried in York Cemetery, and Mr Gumley said he would pay tribute at his grave today.