THE sinking of the liner Lusitania in 1915 saw a major loss of life but gave British authorities a propaganda victory.

It was delivered in the unexpected shape of an iron medal, sold to imitate a German version which was seen to mock those killed when the ship hit a mine.

Among them was Evan Arthur Leigh of Yewbarrow Hall, who is remembered by a memorial plaque in St Paul's Church, Grange.

The memorial says: "To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Evan Arthur Leigh of Yewbarrow Hall who lost his life in the sinking of the S.S. Lusitania, May 7th, 1915.

“This Tablet is erected by his wife Margaret."

He was born on April 28 in 1850 and was the son of Evan Leigh, of Newton Square, Manchester.

After going to Mill Hill School he became an engineer and a merchant with Leigh and Butler, of Boston, in the United States and of Temple Chambers, Brazenose Street, Manchester.

He was the founder of E.A. Leigh and Company of 196 Deansgate, Manchester.

Mr Leigh never forgot his roots and was a major benefactor in Grange.

The story of the sinking of the Lusitania and the issue of the medals was told by Derek Aldred at a conference of token currency collectors held at the Hilton Hotel, Northampton.

The ship, which had many passengers from the then neutral United States, was sunk on May 7 in 1915, just 18 minutes after hitting a mine.

It was laid by the German submarine U-20 with Cpt Walter Schwiger in command.

A total of 1,198 died with 761 surviving the sinking - including 160 taken to Cork harbour, Ireland, by the Isle of Man ship Peel Wanderer.

German designer and jeweller Karl Xavier Goetz brought out a celebration medal in bronze then iron.

It showed the Lusitania on one side and people queuing at the Cunard office in New York to get tickets.

Mr Aldred said: "Only a very few were issued."

The Germans believed the liner to be a legitimate target for its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare and claimed it was carrying war materials.

Sir Reginald Hall, director of Naval Intelligence, ordered 25,000 imitations of the German medal - rightly thinking it would outrage the British people and many Americans.

The propaganda medal, complete with a card box, was sold at a shilling (5p) to raise money for the British Red Cross and the charity for the blind, St Dunstans.

You could buy them from the Selfridges department store in London but they soon turned up all over the country.