Dalkeith Screening of "The Sinking of The Lisbon Maru"

Wednesday 23rd September 2026

On the evening of Wednesday 23rd September 2026, Gerry Borge and I organised a showing of Director, Fang Li's documentary film "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" at One Dalkeith Community Hub, Dalkeith, Midlothian. The showing was relatively well attended. Attendees included David Jack, Regimental Secretary of the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, Staff from MP Kirsty McNeill's office, Tom Logan, Chairman of the East of Scotland Branch, Royal Scots Regimental Association, members of LiMMA and other interested parties.

"The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" tells the story of a long buried chapter of World War II, depicting the horror of the tragic events and the brutality experienced by the British Servicemen held as Prisoners of War by the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2. The film highlights man's inhumanity to man, but also shows the extraordinary bravery and courage of the servicemen and the determination of the Chinese fishermen, who risked their own lives to rescue the POWs.

As with every showing of the film, the deep sorrow and sense of loss was felt by members of the audience as the tragic events unfolded. Seeing the film for the first time proved heartbreaking for some showing deep emotions about the suppression and silence and general lack of awareness of these events. Fortunately, the story is now being told and relatives are coming together to support each other through LiMMA.

LiMMA exists as a family of relatives who intend to mark the tragic event of the Sinking of the Lisbon Maru on 2nd October every year, as the Chinese families on Dongji Island have done for over 80 years! We are just catching up now.

As a member of LiMMA, as with all our members, I hope to share the story across the generations ensuring the courage of the survivors, the sacrifice of the men, who were lost and the bravery of the Chinese fishermen are never forgotten. The docufilm not only examines man's inhumanity to man, but man's profound humanity.

I would like to thank MP (Midlothian) Kirsty McNeill for promoting the docufilm, I would also like to thank Kirsty's staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the screening and liaising regularly with One Dalkeith Community Hub, who have also been an incredible support in hosting the event.

A special thank you goes to NGO UK-China Film Collab, the local all rights distributor of the film, for supplying a special occasion Blu Ray of the docufim and to Gerry Borge, son of Private (Drummer) John Borg, for helping to organise the screening and for his never-ending support within the Lisbon Maru family.

Janette Donoghue
Niece of Private Maurice Kelly, who died on the Lisbon Maru