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.
Is Your Relative Commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial?
Leighanne McKinlay-Wilkins, whose grandfather Norman Lester was on the Lisbon Maru, will be visiting Hong Kong 1st to 8th November.
Leighanne has kindly offered to take photographs of any of the men’s inscriptions on the Sai Wan Memorial.
When Leighanne was last at Sai Wan she noticed that people had placed photos of their relatives by the memorial. So she has said she is also happy to take photos of your relatives to Sai Wan.
If you do not already know, you can find the column number on which your relative's name is inscribed, by finding them on The Men page and then following the link to their CWG entry.
Please contact Leighanne via the Lisbon Maru relatives and friends Facebook group by selecting the following link https://www.facebook.com/groups/808843147375824.
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.
It was at the spring gathering held in Gloucester a couple of years ago, an announcement was made for people to join the Lisbon Maru Steering Group. With some caution, I approached Anthony and gave my name. I say I approached with caution as at the time, I was only just becoming familiar with the Lisbon Maru story and as my own relative didn't survive and pretty much all I knew was the name of the ship. I felt a little out of my depth, and in my position as a minister, I wasn't sure what skill set I could possibly offer, but none the less I stepped forward.
Over the last few years, working alongside the rest of the group, individually and collectively, we have achieved so much and yesterday on the 84th anniversary of the sinking, I was able to once again officiate the Service of Remembrance. Whilst many were eager to thank me for the service which included contrasting stories of men who survived and men who died, alongside a very personal account from Vivian Ni, I'm afraid I cannot take all the credit. The service can only take place with not just the dedication of the Steering Group, but also each and everyone, who has a vested interest in this story, the families. It is only through you sharing your stories that it builds a personal picture of the men and who they truly were. Whilst we talk about the 1816, we are always mindful that every single one of them was someone's son, brother, dad, grandad, uncle with families and lives beyond the names.
I hope that the services of remembrance that I have now conducted over the past 3 years have reflected that and that everyone, who attends or watches feels the genuine connection of our extended family. The Lisbon Maru Family.
Reverend Jean Clements
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.
We had a limited number of spaces available for LiMMA Members and we thank you for the interest shown in marching. All the available places have now been allocated.
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 memorial crosses purchased by you to remember all our relatives, who were on the Lisbon Maru will be planted.
The Field of Remembrance will be available to view by the general public from the afternoon on Thursday 5th November until Sunday 15th November.
For more details please goto our LiMMA in Action page.
Repatriation Service
Wednesday 18th November 2026
Every year on 18th November a service is held at the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOWs) Repatriation Memorial in Southampton, which was one of the main ports used to repatriate FEPOWs, including many Lisbon Maru survivors.
The event is organised by LiMMA Steering Group Member and Area Co-ordinator for the Hampshire Children of Far East Prisoners of War (COFEPOW) Rob Golding, whose own father, Lance Corporal William Golding, returned on the Queen Mary to Southampton on 18th November 1945.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
The memorial is in a small park opposite Town Quay Southampton and adjacent to the medieval Wool House, which is now a pub called the Dancing Man (postcode SO14 2AR). Teas and coffees will be available at the Dancing Man from 10.00am, with the memorial procession leading off from the pub to the memorial service at 10.45am.
Read Rob's full account on our Repatriation page.
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru
Fleet Monday 28th September
A screening of Fang Li’s Film “The Sinking of The Lisbon Maru” was hosted by the Fleet Film Society in Fleet Hampshire on Monday 28th September at 8pm.
It was organised by the local community and the film society and was extremely well attended and appreciated.
Cinderford Date and Time TBC
Another screening in Cinderford Gloucestershire is planned, date and time to be confirmed, so please revisit the website soon.