Lusitania cufflinks worn by Robert Leith

A pair of cufflinks, featuring a picture of Lusitania, bought on board the ship by Telegraphist Robert Leith. He was wearing them on the day of the sinking. Robert Leith joined the Marconi Marine Communications Company in 1906, becoming Lusitania’s Telegraphist in April 1915. Robert received the Admiralty’s warning messages sent during the final voyage. As Lusitania sank, he continued to send SOS messages until the final moments. Robert survived the sinking. When the Tower Hill memorial was unveiled in 1928, he was chosen as a representative of wireless officers lost in the war, and was presented to Queen Mary.