Repatriation and Commemorations

Between September and December 1945, around 19000 British Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOWs) and over 3000 civilian internees returned to the UK via Southampton. Similar numbers returned via Liverpool. Amongst those repatriated to Southampton and Liverpool were many Lisbon Maru survivors.

Many ships were involved and have been identified. Memorials were established in Liverpool in 2011 and in Southampton in 2013. The Southampton FEPOW memorial lists all the repatriation ships which arrived at Southampton that Autumn. Photographs of the returning ships and of the Repatriation Camp on Southampton Common appeared in the Southern Daily Echo and can be seen in the microfilm archives at Southampton Central Library.

There is a memorial service in Southampton each year to remember fathers, grandfathers, other relations and friends, those who returned and those who did not, on 18th November, the date on which two big ships, Queen Mary and the Principessa Giovanni docked in Southampton with their cargo of returning Far East Prisoner of War.

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 and was briefed not to talk about his war experience, which was not unusual.

In 2025 as part of VJ80, 50 people attended the event, including dignitaries from the local council (represented by the Sheriff of Southampton on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Southampton), Associated British Ports, various military representatives, including the Royal Marines and the Royal Corps of Signals and local primary school children, who had made wreaths for the occasion. It was a poignant event for many there as descendants and relatives of some of the 22000 FEPOWs, who returned through Southampton.

The annual Southampton Memorial Service is always held on 18th November to commemorate the repatriation of many FEPOWs, including Lisbon Maru survivors, who made it home.

All are welcome to participate and there is always a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The stone 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 are usually available at the Dancing Man from 10.00am, with the memorial procession leading off from the pub to the memorial service at around 10.45am.

Other COFEPOW events which may be of interest to LiMMA members can be found on their website. https://www.cofepow.org.uk

We would finally like to acknowledge the Researching FEPOW History Group (RFHG) for their support in the repatriation story.