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.
The Story of Our Lives
By Irene Turnbull-Banham
"The Story of Our Lives - Do Dragons Really Fly?" is a recent publication written by LiMMA member Irene Turnbull-Banham.
Irene is the daughter-in-law of Warrant Officer II Thomas Banham, who surived the sinking of the Lisbon Maru, only to die in a prisoner of war camp in Osaka, one week before the Japanese surrendered.
Thomas' son and Irene's husband Reg Banham spent a great deal of time researching his family history. Irene promised Reg she would write a book about his mother's escape from Hong Kong and his father's death.
"10 years later "The Story of Our Lives" was published. A novel which incorporates much of Reg's factual research, turning it into an unusual love story. In war, survival is everything, but the heart has a war of its own. A young mother’s world shatters when Hong Kong falls to the Japanese Imperial Army. Forced to flee with her children, via the Philippines to Australia, she carries nothing but her children and a fragile hope of safety. A moving tale of courage, sacrifice and the invisible red thread that binds families together, and of the inner dragon, we all possess, rising when life demands our greatest strength."
Irene Turnbull-Banham (2026) The Story of Our Lives: Do Dragons Really Fly? Grand Publishers.
ISBN 978 191 846 502 0 (hardback), ISBN 978 191 846 501 3 (paperback), ISBN 978 191 846 500 6 (Kindle).
Surviving the Lisbon Maru
By Andrew and Ken Salmon
"Surviving the Lisbon Maru" is a recent publication, written by survivor Sergeant Andrew Salmon, with his son and LiMMA member Ken Salmon.
On the day of publication 29th July 2026 Ken wrote:
"Today would have been my late father's 107th birthday and is the (hopefully auspicious!) date chosen for the publication of his book "Surviving the Lisbon Maru". Before he passed, he had worked tirelessly in a pre-internet (no email, post only!) age to gather first-hand accounts from fellow Lisbon Maru survivors and he left an unfinished manuscript.
The release of Fang Li's film "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" spurred many to encourage me to complete his book and this has finally come to fruition today.
In addition to the Lisbon Maru tragedy, the book covers his pre- & post-war life and also addresses the Lisbon Maru events of the recent past, such as the film, trips to China, and various Lisbon Maru commemoration events."
Andrew Salmon with his son Ken Salmon (2026) Surviving the Lisbon Maru, Earnshaw Books Ltd.
ISBN 978 988 896 815 2.
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru
Fleet Monday 28th September
A new screening of Fang Li’s Film “The Sinking of The Lisbon Maru” is being hosted by the Fleet Film Society in Fleet Hampshire on Monday 28th September at 8pm.
It has been organised by the local community and the film society, but seats are limited so please book soon.
Tickets are available via this link:
Tickets for the Sinking of the Lisbon Maru Film.
Cinderford Date and Time TBC
Another screening in Cinderford Gloucestershire is planned, date and time to be confirmed, so please revisit the website soon.
Lisbon Maru in Parliament
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru
Screening in Parliament 6th July
We had a good response from MPs to attend the screening in Parliament and a memorial photo. This was a great the opportunity to share the story of the men and preserve their legacy for future generations.
Members of LiMMA attended the screening, along with the film's producer and director, Fang Li, who travelled from China to be present at this special event.
Events such as this highlight the important work LiMMA continues to do in keeping the memories of the men of the Lisbon Maru alive. Together, we are ensuring that their stories, courage and sacrifice are remembered and honoured.
Listen to Kirsteen Sullivan the MP, who hosted the screening talking about the event by selecting the link below:
Kirsteen Sullivan on the Screening in Parliament
Please see our LiMMA in Action page for more details.
Zhoushan 2026
17th to 24th May
This year marked the fourth occasion that relatives of Prisoners of War involved in the Lisbon Maru sinking were invited by the Chinese UK Ambassador and the Chinese province of Zhoushan to go to China to pay their respects to the POWs and Chinese fisherman, involved in rescuing so many on that fateful day of 2nd October 1942.
The highlight of course was the memorial event at Quingbang, a remote island where the Chinese fishermen in their sampans brought to shore so many of the POWs they rescued. But to be at that place, to touch the rocks, and look out 3 miles to sea and be so close to where this tragedy occurred, was for Lisbon Maru POW relatives both heart wrenching and emotional. And to meet a number of descendants of those Chinese fishermen was a poignant moment.
Please see our LiMMA in Action page for an account of Zhoushan 2026 by Rob Golding, a member of the LiMMA Steering Group and a participant in China 2026.
Lisbon Maru Memorial Service
October 2nd 2026
Every year on October 2nd, the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association (LiMMA) organises a Service of Remembrance for the POWs aboard the Lisbon Maru.
This year's service will be held on Friday, 2nd October 2026, at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Alrewas near Lichfield, Staffordshire. We will gather in front of the Lisbon Maru Memorial for a simple, respectful ceremony lasting approximately one hour.
The annual gathering is an important opportunity to honour and remember those we lost and to connect with others, who share this heritage.
Everyone is welcome and we sincerely hope you can join us.
As soon as more details are available, we will let you know.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday November 8th 2026
We are very pleased that Lisbon Maru relatives and descendants have been invited to march again at the National Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday 8th November 2026.
Once again there will be a limited number of spaces available for LiMMA members and we will provide you with more details as soon as they are available.
This year for the first time, we have also secured a plot in the Field of Remembrance at St Margaret’s Church at Westminster Abbey, where we will be able to plant memorial crosses to remember all our relatives, who were on the Lisbon Maru.
As soon as more details are available we will let you know.