LiMMA : Preserving the Memory of the Lisbon Maru
On 2nd October 1942 the Lisbon Maru was sunk with the Loss of 828 British Prisoners of War
The sinking of the Lisbon Maru was a largely forgotten and unrecorded incident until recently.
The Lisbon Maru was a Japanese freighter, which was used to transport prisoners of war in the Far East and one of many vessels, which came to be known as the "hell ships".
Following the Fall of Hong Kong in December 1941, many service personnel were taken prisoner. The Lisbon Maru sailed from Hong Kong en route to Shanghai and Japan, transporting the POWs to provide labour for the Japanese war effort.
There was nothing to identify the Lisbon Maru as carrying POWs and sadly she was torpedoed. The events which followed being one of many tragic episodes of the war in the Far East.
The histories of Hong Kong and World War II form the backdrop to the Lisbon Maru story.
The stories and records from the battle for Hong Kong, the treatment of Far East prisoners of war, US submarine pacific operations, the selfless act of the Chinese fishermen each have their own stories, but all are inextricably linked to the sinking of Lisbon Maru.
There are many aspects to these stories and many people working hard to make sure that all those on the Lisbon Maru are not forgotten. Over time we hope to bring these stories together.
The Lisbon Maru Memorial Association (LiMMA)
LiMMA was set-up to faciliate bringing the history of events leading up to and following the sinking of the Lisbon Maru to present and future generations and to arrange an annual gathering of remembrance at the Lisbon Maru Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Thank you to everyone who has shared photos and stories of your loved ones who were aboard the Lisbon Maru. Your contributions help keep their memories alive.
We need as much help as possible, so if you haven't become a member of LiMMA yet, please visit our Join LiMMA page. You don't have to be a relative to join, just have an interest in the history. But if you do have information about a relative, which you are willing to share, please visit our Sharing your History page and complete our online form.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Please Share Your Family's Story
The Lisbon Maru Memorial Association (LiMMA)'s aim is to produce a Personal Information Sheet for each of the individuals on the Lisbon Maru.
We have a digital memorial to the Men on Board the Lisbon Maru where you can also read some of the men's stories, like Private Kenneth T Hodkinson, uncle of Jean Clements LiMMA Steering Group.
If you have already completed one of our Personal Information Sheets then thank you for your time and contribution. We will endeavour to get your relative's story onto the website as soon as possible.
If you would like to share or update your relative's story then please visit our Sharing your History page and complete our online form.
Stay in Touch
Were you on an earlier mailing list?
If you are on Brian Finch’s mailing list for matters relating to the Lisbon Maru, many of you will have received an email from Brian in October encouraging you to join LiMMA, as he is planning to gradually hand over to the Steering Group, the task of keeping the relatives and other interested parties informed.
Please visit our Join LiMMA page.
Thank you all for your continued support.