Text of the speech given on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at the unveiling ceremony of the memorial on Qingbang Island, Dongji Town, Zhejiang province, East China dedicated to the Chinese fishermen who saved the lives of hundreds of POWs during the Lisbon Maru incident.

Good morning — for those I have not yet met, I am Air Commodore Dom Stamp, the Defence Attaché at the British Embassy.

It is with deep respect and a profound sense of honour that I stand before you today. This unveiling ceremony commemorates the tragic loss of over 800 British Prisoners of War, it commemorates those that survived, and it commemorates the families of all of those involved but it also celebrates an act of extraordinary humanity.

In 1942, during one of the darkest and most turbulent periods of the Second World War, the British Prisoners of War who had been onboard the Lisbon Maru found themselves adrift and in peril in the waters near the Dongji Islands. Today we remember those brave men who lost their lives, we remember the men who survived, but were scarred by their experiences for the rest of their lives, and we remember the families whose lives were so unimaginably altered by the events that transpired on the 1 Oct 1942. It is my great pleasure to see some of those families here with us today to mark this event — It is my honour to share, what is, your day with you.

But for the 1,000 of the British POWs stranded in the water, their fate was transformed by the selfless bravery of local Chinese fishermen. Men who, despite the risks to their own lives and families, chose compassion over fear, and action over indifference.

These fishermen, with no obligation other than that of conscience, rescued these foreign soldiers — strangers to them. They offered them shelter, sustenance, and safety. In doing so, they not only saved lives, they also illuminated the enduring strength of human decency.

Today, as we unveil this memorial, we do more than honour an historical event. We pay tribute to the timeless values of courage, solidarity, and compassion. This monument stands as a testament to the moral courage of the British POWs and to the fishermen of Dongji.

Let this memorial serve not only as a marker of the past, but as a guiding light for the future. A future built on mutual respect, understanding, and peace. But let it also act as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the people of China and the United Kingdom.

On behalf of His Majesty's Armed Forces of the United Kingdom I extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Dongji and to the families of those brave fishermen.

To conclude I would like to recognise some special people who have worked to preserve and honour this remarkable legacy; firstly, all of the families who are here today and to those who were not able to join us.

But a special mention must also be made for Mr Fang Li who championed this story for so many years and was the inspiration and driving force for the documentary film that will forever capture the events that happened here over 80 years ago — thank you. Your efforts have ensured this event will not be forgotten and that future generations will continue to draw inspiration from it.

I would also like to thank:

• All of the Chinese officials from the MFA, Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan City and Putuo District for organising and sponsoring today's event. Without your hard work and generosity none of this would have been possible.
• Mr Kent Shum — Secretary of the Lisbon Maru Association of Hong Kong.
• Mr Brian Finch — An author and translator who has ensured "A faithful record of the Lisbon Maru incident" was published.
• Mrs Denise Wynne — the daughter of the last survivor of the sinking. Who wrote to President Xi in 2022 to thank the locals for their bravery on behalf of her father and to explain that her father's dying wish was for a memorial in honour of the brave fisherman. The unexpected reply and a commitment to build a suitable memorial has helped boost the world's understanding of the story, making sure it is not forgotten.

This year we mark the 80th anniversary of the formal end of the Second World War. It was a war that touched every aspect of life and had a devastating impact on those who experienced it. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Second World War generation who fought for our freedom and to the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice, be they military or civilian.

Thank you again for inviting me to attend. I am delighted to lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty's Armed Forces of the United Kingdom with immense gratitude to the selfless bravery and sacrifice of the POWs from the Lisbon Maru and the local Chinese fishermen of Dongli.