Rufus Rigney was employed as a labourer when, at sixteen, he lied about his age so he could join his older brother Cyril Spurgeon Rigney (d. 3 July 1917, Belgium) and uncle, Gordon Rigney to serve in the first World War. He signed on as a Private with the 48th Battalion (Infantry) in August 1916 and died of his wounds on 16 October 1917 at a Field Hospital as a prisoner in German hands in Belgium just over a year later. He is buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium.