Margaret Taylor, secretary of Wirksworth Royal British Legion Women's Section, is looking for information about Private Thomas Henry Stirzaker, who died on September 1916 aged 28, after a Dead Man's Penny, bearing his name, was discovered at a car-boot sale.

The medal is an official token of gratitude, given to fallen servicemen and women's next of kin.

Private Stirzaker was the son of Richard and Annie Stirzaker of Hareruns House, Cromford Road in Wirksworth. He emigrated to British Columbia and enlisted with the Canadian Infantry. He is remembered on memorials in the town and on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais in France.

Mrs Taylor said: "I have always been very interested in history. I'm hoping someone – maybe a relative – will be able to get in touch.

"It is such an interesting story not just for Wirksworth but for anyone who knows anything about the wartime."

The medal will be on display on Monday, March 15 from 2.45pm to 4.30pm in the Wirksworth Baptist School Room. Anyone with information can contact Mrs Taylor at Flower Lilies, 29 Yokecliffe Crescent, Wirksworth, DE4 4ER.