Lusitania medallion, British Issue : Captain F W Robinson, Intelligence Corps, 5 Division Headquarters

Die cast iron replica Lusitania Medallion in original red cardboard presentation box bearing a black, white and red image on the lid of the Cunard Line liner RMS Lusitania, with the text 'R.M.S. LUSIATANIA CUNARD LINE 32000 TONS SUNK ON HER RETURN JOURNEY FROM THE UNITED STATES BY A GERMAN SUBMARINE MAY 7TH 1915'. The interior of the lid bears a label which reads, 'The "Lusitania" (German) Medal/ An exact replica of the medal which was designed in Germany and distributed to commemorate the sinking of the 'Lusitania"./ This indicates the true feeling the War Lords endeavour to stimulate, and is proof positive that such crimes are not merely regarded favourably, but are given every encouragement in the land of Kultur./ The "Lusitania" was sunk by a German submarine on May 7th, 1915. She had on board at the time 1,951 passengers and crew, of whom, 1,198 perished.' The lower half of the box is lined with cream cotton velveteen, with a circular indent which contains the medallion.

The medallion obverse depicts, in high relief, the SS Lusitania sinking with war cargo spilling from her deck. Around the top edge are the words 'KEINE BANN WARE' (No contraband goods). In a panel at the bottom, the words: 'DER GROSS DAMPFER / LUSITANIA / DURCH EIN DEUTSCHES / TAUCHBOOT VERSENKT 5 MAY 1915' (The great steamer Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat 5 May 1915). The reverse depicts, in high relief, the skeletal figure of Death sitting at the booking office of the Cunard Line (marked with the legend 'FAHRKARTEN AUSGABE' or ticket office) who gives out tickets to a queue of passengers, who refuse to attend to the warning against submarines given by a caricature of the German Ambassador to the United States, Count Bernstorff. Around the top edge are the German words 'GESHAFT UBER ALLES' (Business above all). The extreme bottom features the designer's initials (KG).

A printed paper sheet accompanying the medallion explains the British interpretation of the original German medal, and gives the address from where the medallion replicas can be purchased together with the information that profits made from the sale of the replicas will benefit St Dunstan's Blinded Soldiers and Sailors Hostel.

Frederick Walter Robinson was born on 21 October 1888. He had a Masters from University of Sydney and was a Doctor of Philosophy and had been working as Assistant Professor of modern languages at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, ACT, with status of captain, before he enlisted in the AIF in 1915. He was allocated to 8 Field Ambulance as a sergeant clerk for 'A' section, before applying for and receiving a commission in September.

He embarked from Melbourne, Vic with 8 Field Ambulance as a lieutenant and quarter master on 10 November 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius and served in Egypt until 16 June 1916, when he embarked for France.

In September 1916 Robinson was promoted to honorary captain. On 22 January 1917 he transferred to 5 Division Headquarters as a full captain and was seconded to duty with the Intelligence Corps. Robinson was Mentioned in Despatches in April 1918. In November 1918 he was made the Assistant Director of Education for AIF depots in the United Kingdom. He married Catherine Campbell Robertson-Glasgow, a voluntary hospital worker, on 14 May 1919, whose father was a colonel with the Suffolk Regiment. Two months later he embarked with his wife for Australia, arriving in Sydney on 4 August. Robinson's appointment with the AIF was terminated on 26 September 1919.

Robinson was working as a university lecturer when he enlisted with the Citizens Military Force (CMF) in 1941. He was assigned the service number Q89950 and was promoted to temporary major in September. In November he was allocated to Headquarters Northern Command. Robinson ceased his full time duties with the CMF in March 1942 at the request of his employer, and returned to lecturing at university. Frederick Robinson died at Brisbane, Qld on 26 August 1971.

This medallion is a British reproduction of German medallion issued after the sinking of the Lusitania. The intent of the medallion was to comment on the British using passenger liners, with civilian passengers on board, to ship armaments and other war materiel, putting them at risk. Although the Germans warned them that U boats were operating in the area, the passengers and government ignored the warning.

The medallion has the incorrect date of 5 May (the ship was sunk on 7 May), that the artist attributed to an incorrect newspaper article. The date made this item a controversial piece as it implied the attack on the Lusitania was premeditated. There was an uproar in Britain and America and reproductions of the medallion were mass produced and sold as propaganda and for fund raising purposes. On the British copies the original 'MAI' was spelt 'MAY' (although due to the quality of the work, some of the British examples, also appear to read 'MAI').

• Lusitania medallion, British Issue : Captain F W Robinson, Intelligence Corps, 5 Division Headquarters