WW1 British RN Navy Lusitania Medal

The WW1 British RN Navy Lusitania Medal is a commemorative item relating to the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, during the First World War. The original medals were produced in Germany to mark the event and were later reproduced in Britain as a piece of wartime propaganda. The British version closely resembles the German design and typically features allegorical imagery depicting the sinking, with inscriptions that criticize German actions and highlight the loss of civilian life, including British naval and civilian personnel. Made from iron or base metals, these medals vary slightly in diameter, but they generally measure around 55mm. They were often issued with a presentation box and an explanatory leaflet. The Lusitania medal is recognized as a significant artifact reflecting public sentiment and propaganda efforts in the United Kingdom during WW1, symbolizing the widespread impact of the Lusitania tragedy on British naval history and civilian morale.