The Memorials

Two memorials have been constructed which relate to the story of the Lisbon Maru, one in the UK and one in China

UK Memorial

The UK Memorial is located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas near Lichfield, Stafforshire, England. It commemorates the 828 prisoners of war taken captive at the fall of Hong Kong on 25 December 1941, who perished between 27 September and 5 October 1942 and over 200 more who died later in captivity.

The memorial was created from a grey granite block weighing 1.75 tons by Master Stonemason Nick Johnson of Young Johnson Monumental Masons of Westbury, Wiltshire.

The front of the memorial features an engraving of the sketch of the Lisbon Maru sinking, drawn in Kobe POW camp by Lieut W C Carroll, US Navy, based on eye witness accounts of the survivors along with the badges of all the units involved all laid out in the correct military order of precedence

The reverse of the memorial contains a brief outline of the events of the sinking as well as the numbers of those from the various units who were on board and those who died.

The memorial was unveiled On Sunday 3 October 2021by Vice Admiral John Henry Stuart McAnally, CB LVO followed by a dedication service. Most of the 650 attending were relatives of prisoners of war who had suffered on the Lisbon Maru.

Now every year on October 2nd there is an annual gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum. If you had relatives on board the Lisbon Maru, we hope you will come along this year and help us to facilitate bringing the history of the Lisbon Maru to current and future generations by joining LiMMA.

Three members of LiMMA (Lisbon Maru Memorial Association) Jean Clements, Anthony Jones & Gerry Borge at the unveiling of the Zhoushan memorial on 20th May 2025 to commemorate the fishermen who rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru in 1942. Photograph courtesy of Jean Clements.

On Tuesday 20th May at 9am BST a memorial was unveiled in Zhoushan, near the scene of the sinking, to recognise the courage of the Dongji Fishermen, who rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru and prevented a total massacre. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

Several LiMMA members attended the unveiling of a memorial in Zhoushan on 20th May 2025. The memorial commemorates the Dongji Fishermen, who in 1942 rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru and prevented a total massacre. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

The British Defence Attaché in Beijing, Air Commodore Dom Stamp, addressing the attendees at the unveiling of the memorial on Qingbang Island, South East of Shanghai, on 20th May 2025 to the Dongji fishermen who rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru and prevented a total massacre. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

Dennis Morley, the last survivor of the sinking of the Lisbon Maru, expressed a strong wish that a memorial should be built in China commemorating the Dongji fishermen. His daughter, Mrs Denise Wynne, wrote to China asking for a memorial to be built. The monument was unveiled on 20th May 2025 and Mrs Denise Wynne was there to thank the Chinese authorities. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

The British Defence Attaché in Beijing, Air Commodore Dom Stamp, laying a wreath at the unveiling of the Zhoushan memorial on 20th May 2025 to commemorate the fishermen who rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru in 1942. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

Anthony Jones, Chairman of LiMMA, laying a wreath at the memorial to recognise the courage of the Dongji Fishermen who rescued hundreds of POWs from the sinking of the Lisbon Maru in 1942. The memorial was unveiled on 20th May 2025 on Qingbang Island, South East of Shanghai, near the scene of the sinking. Photograph courtesy of Kent Shum.

Chinese Memorial

The Chinese Memorial is located on Qingbang Island, Dongji Town, Zhoushan, East China and is dedicated to the Chinese fishermen who saved the lives of hundreds of POWs during the Lisbon Maru incident.

The Chinese memorial was designed by the Institute of Public Art, China Academy of Art and is constructed from copper and is 4.5 metres in length and 1.8 metres high weighing around one tonne. Its design is based on the shape of rough rocks simulating the scene of waves lapping against the reef and the vessel highlighting the difficulty of the rescue.

The memorial represents the rescue of British Prisoners of War by Dongji fishermen saving them from a certain death. The arrival of the fishermen, who had set out sea at great personal risk to themselves, stopped the Japanese soldiers shooting at the POWs who were swimming in the sea as they realised that this act would now be witnessed. The fishermen rescued around two hundred POWs and prevented a total massacre.

The monument was initially inaugurated on the 4th December 2024 and unveiled on Tuesday 20th May 2025. Anthony Jones, our Chairman, was present along with several other members to represent the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association (LiMMA). We see this as a significant event towards the recognition all involved deserve.

Read the full text of Anthony Jones' Speech ...

Read the full text of Air Commodore Dom Stamp's Speech ...