Zhoushan Tree Planting Speech
Kirsteen Dugan Member of LiMMA

Kirsteen Dugan delivering her commemorative speech given on Tuesday 19th May 2026 at the Chinese 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. Photo courtesy of Kent Shum.

Text of Kirsteen's commemorative speech given on Tuesday 19th May 2026 at the Tree Planting 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.

Today, standing here on Qinbang Island, means more to me than I can truly put into words. My brother Chris gave a lovely account of how important what happened here was for us as a family.

Growing up, I would hear stories from my gran about my grandad (John Borge) and great uncle (Eddy Cameron) and I would always try to imagine what it must have looked like that day and what the island looked like. It feels surreal, and such an honour, to make this incredible journey and learn more about what happened during those days, through the amazing research and commitment of others, who worked to piece together the story for the families of those brave soldiers lost at sea that day, the survivors, and all those forever changed by what happened here.

My favourite thing when staying at my gran's house, as a little girl, was asking to see the old tins filled with my grandad's war memorabilia. I always remember the newspaper cutting about the Lisbon Maru and the brave fisherman who carried out the rescue.

Without their courage, humanity, and selflessness, I would not be standing here today, because my family as I know it would not exist if my grandad had not survived those waters.

But today is also about remembering the many men and boys who never made it home. Their lives were cut tragically short in those waters, and their futures, hopes and dreams were lost alongside them. As we stand in peace, it is important that we carry their memory with us and honour the sacrifice they made.

What happened here was not only an act of extraordinary bravery, but also an act of friendship and compassion that created a bond between China and the UK that still lives on today.

That is why this tree planting is so poignant. Trees grow slowly and strongly over time, with roots that deepen year after year. I think that is a beautiful symbol of what was created here - a lasting connection across the waters between China and the UK, built through kindness, courage, and humanity in one of history's darkest moments.

I hope that one day my two boys will also make this journey, stand here beneath these trees, and continue to share this story of courage, sacrifice, friendship, peace and remembrance for generations to come.

I would like to finish with a short poem:

On Dongji's shore where silence stays,

We gather now through time and waves.

To honour those who crossed the sea,

And those who never made it home.

The waters here still hold their names,

The sorrow, courage, loss and pain.

Young men and boys with lives ahead,

Now carried only in our hearts instead.

When the Lisbon Maru slipped beneath the tide,

Hope and fear moved side by side.

Yet in that darkness, lights appeared,

In acts of courage born from care.

Fishermen rowing into danger's tide,

Choosing humanity over fear and pride.

Because they came, because they tried,

Some men and boys were saved that day,

And generations followed in their way.

So now we plant these trees in peace,

With roots which deepen, never cease.

A living bond from sea to shore,

Between two nations, evermore.

May those who stand beneath their shade

Remember all the sacrifice made.

That even in humanity's darkest hour,

Compassion still can flower.