Lisbon Maru Memorial Service

Click image to expand

For this year's service a group of around 100 gathered in front of the Lisbon Maru Memorial at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens, in Alrewas near Lichfield, Staffordshire, for a simple, respectful, inclusive ceremony, marking the 84th anniversary of the sinking.

The service was led by Reverend Jean Clements, niece of Private Kenneth T Hodkinson and included two pieces, one from Leigh Gray about the life of her great uncle Private James Alfred Maynard and another from James Murphy about the life of his father Lance Corporal James Laurence Murphy.

Jean read a Message of Remembrance from the Lisbon Maru Research Centre Zhejiang Ocean University, Vivian Ni, a Zhoushan-born journalist, gave her personal account of her involvement with the Lisbon Maru Tragedy and there were readings from Gerry Borge, son of Private John Borg.

Two pipers, Bernadette and Martin Smith played several pieces including Amazing Grace and Antonio Socci and Anthony Jones, grandson of Telegraphist Thomas Theodore Jones, played the Last Post.

Following the service a reception and buffet was held at the Royal British Legion in Alrewas. There was an exhibition of the work LiMMA is doing to help decendants with their research into their Lisbon Maru relatives and chance to talk to Ken Williams, who is leading this research and whose own grandfather, Corporal Edwin Husband, was on the Lisbon Maru. There was also plenty of opportunity to meet and exchange stories with other relatives over a buffet lunch and a drink.

Read the full text of the Message of Remembrance...

Read the full text of Vivian Ni's Personal Account...

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 in future years.

Click image to expand and see all images

On the same day, thousands of miles away on Lujiashi Island, Zhoushan, a Commemoration of the 84th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Lisbon Maru was also held. Hu Yifang, a descendant of a Dongji fisherman, poured seawater from Dongji into the Lisbon Maru Memorial Installation and then scattered petals representing the lives of the British POWs across the water, Wu Buwei, another descendant delivered a speech, an address from Brian Finch was read, paying tribute to the Zhoushan fishermen and highlighting LiMMA's considerable effort in preserving these memories, alongside POW families and maintaining lasting ties with Zhoushan. During the ceremony there was also a poetry recitation and the event concluded with the concerto "Dongji Sampan".

The anniversary of the Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, continues to grow in significance. As we find more descendants, attendance is increasing and so too is the poignancy of the day. We are hearing more and more stories, which means we now know who more of the men actually were. It was incredibly moving to see so many of the relatives talking and helping each other at the service and at the reception.

As more of the POW descendants visit Zhoushan, our relationships with descendants of the Zhoushan fishermen are also increasing and many real friendships are developing. Then this year to have two commemorations, one in the UK and one in Zhoushan, taking place on the same day was very meaningful. All helping to ensure this whole incident and all involved, the men on the Lisbon Maru, the fishermen and their families who risked their lives, are never forgotten.

Thank you to everyone involved both here and in China.