WITH the centenary of one of the most controversial moments of the First World War to be commemorated, the Star has uncovered the tragic story of one of its casualties.

Joiner William Leyland lost his life, aged 44, during the sinking of the Lusitania by a German u-boat on May 7, 1915 off the Old Head of Kilsdale, Ireland while on route to Liverpool from New York.

He had been living in America for eight years, helping to rebuild San Francisco after the earthquake of 1906.

William had been on his way back to live in St Helens with his sister, Johanna Pamela Hulse of Halefield Street. But sadly he became one of more than 1,000 victims who died on the voyage when the ship was torpedoed on May 7, 1915.

Born in 1870 as one of 13 children, William lived as a young child in St Thomas Street in Eccleston before residing at Morley Street, and Haresfinch View by 1891 when he was an apprentice joiner.

At the turn of the century William was head of the household living with his younger sister Louisa at Grafton Street.

“I have been researching the Leyland family from St Helens for 12 years,” said Ronnie Bowes, a living relative of William’s who now lives in Blackpool.

“In 1907 William paid his own travelling expenses when he sailed from Liverpool arriving in March at the port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada.

“He was on his way to see a friend William Spencer in San Francisco and the 1910 census stated William aged 39 an unmarried lodger, occupation carpenter in San Francisco.

“From this it looks like he was going to California to help in the rebuilding after the earthquake April 18, 1906 and William lived in America for eight years.

“He booked a Steerage Class accommodation of the SS Lusitania, departing New York on May 1, 1915. It should have arrived in Liverpool on May 7.

“Unfortunately, the Lusitania was torpedoed. He was aged 44, stated as lost at sea, his body was never recovered,” added Ronnie, 64.

"There wouldn't have been many civilian victims from St Helens during the First World War, as it was mainly World War Two in which civilians died," said historian Jeff Keenan who has worked on the St Helens Rolls of Honour commemorating victims in the town from both global conflicts.

"It's a really sad story and he chose the wrong time to come back."

William has an inscription on his parents' graves at the Windleshaw Chantry.