Celebrating Resilience: A Reception for Lisbon Maru Survivors’ Families
Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, addresses an event honoring the families of those who survived the Lisbon Maru disaster on February 22, 2025. Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in London, this special gathering simultaneously marked a tribute to World War II’s heroic rescues while welcoming festivities associated with the Spring Festival. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Denise Wynne shares her reflections at the reception on February 22, highlighting her father Dennis Morley’s experiences as a survivor of the Lisbon Maru incident. The gathering honored their stories while observing important cultural traditions like the Spring Festival. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
A Glimpse into History
The tragic sinking of the Lisbon Maru occurred in October 1942 while it was commandeered by Japanese forces to transport over 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan. A U.S. military strike near China’s Zhoushan Islands resulted in its demise, yet remarkably local fishermen heroically intervened to save more than 300 prisoners amidst chaos.
Commemorative Reflections
This year marks eight decades since crucial victories during both China’s resistance against Japanese aggression and global anti-fascist efforts.
During his address at this meaningful event, Ambassador Zheng emphasized that stories such as these illustrate how China and Britain stood united against fascism—a bond characterized by deep friendship that continues to enrich bilateral relations.
A Community Reunited
As dignity surrounded memory honoring their ancestors at this event’s conclusion, all attendees linked hands and sang “Auld Lang Syne,” symbolizing unity among disparate histories now entwined.
Lindsey Archer—whose uncle tragically lost his life aboard the ship—asserted that gatherings like these fortify relationships and yield new connections among individuals from both nations. For her family lineage resonates with themes of sacrifice forming their contemporary identity shaping paths forward together.
An Emotional Pilgrimage
This past year witnessed Archer along with fellow descendants—including Kenneth Salmon—journeying back to Zhoushan for poignant remembrances where they paid homage at burial sites reflective of courage displayed generations prior.
Salmon articulated profound sentiments during his visit underscoring rich emotional ties established linking past stories with present connections forged through shared narratives within this ancestral history framework.
Nurturing Future Legacies
The significance was further amplified through various activities including exhibitions chronicling advancements made recently towards unearthing historical truths surrounding Lisbon Maru’s fate alongside promoting awareness intended for future generations regarding legacies inherited from those brave souls long ago whose trials shaped today’s collective consciousness within these communities intertwined across borders.
The commemoration not only reinforced understanding but advocated preserving significant narratives illustrating resilience stemming beyond mere remembrance but actively fostering historical inquiry enhancing connectivity bridging cultures creating common ground shared even decades later respecting collective sacrifices made enduring timeless bonds spanning solidarity transcending individual loss weaving intricate tapestries relating diverse backgrounds realizing fruitful coexistence striving towards harmonious futures cultivated upon foundations built mutual respect joint experiences emerging stronger united through memories reigniting grateful heart songs echoing hope onward endless horizons ahead!
