In the middle of the second World War, more than 1,800 British Prisoners Of War (POWs) were fighting for their lives, trying to escape from a sinking Japanese cargo ship, the Lisbon Maru, sailing from Hong Kong to labor camps in Japan.

It had been hit by a U.S. torpedo and during the 24 hours it took for the ship to go down, Japanese troops and crew were evacuated to safety, while prisoners locked in the hold were left to force their way out. More than 800 people died. But 384 lucky men escaped, according to UK and Chinese records.

And it was all thanks to a group of Chinese fishermen who picked them up.

READ MORE

UNHCR warns Syrian victims feel 'abandoned'

UN appeals for $1bn to help 5m+ in Türkiye

Hopes to find quake survivors fading

Dennis Morley, then a 22-year-old in the Royal Scots regiment, was one of those rescued. He settled in Stroud, in the south west of UK, after the war and only died in 2021 aged 101. 

His daughter Denise Wynn continues his campaign for the fishermen's actions to be recognized with a memorial in China. She stepped up her efforts last year by writing to President Xi Jinping. He wrote back, delighted to get her letter about the "touching story" of the Zhoushan fishermen and added that the idea of a permanent memorial was being explored. 

As the guest of honor at an event in Gloucester recently where 120 relatives of the prisoners on the ship met with each other and the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Denise revealed the idea has become a reality.

"I'm very pleased to hear the news that the building planning is under way and President Xi is allowing it to be built, and I look forward to going to Zhoushan and seeing the memorial," she told CCTV.

"If it isn't done for a few years then I'd like to visit the Chinese fishermen's relatives, just to say 'thank you' and how wonderful they were and that they were heroes."

It's an incredible tribute to the efforts of the fishermen over 80 years ago. With the UK's National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire erecting a memorial, Denise's father had been desperate to have a Chinese equivalent dedicated to the men who saved his life.

Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, told the Gloucester gathering that President Xi was emotionally attached to the Lisbon Maru story and that "very soon" everyone would see the physical statue memorial.

"President Xi Jinping's care about this matter is another testament to China's consistent policy and efforts to promote the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and the British people," Zheng Zeguang said.

"History should be remembered in the history of great cause. It should never be forgotten. The touching story also embodies the deep friendship between our two peoples. The spirit of solidarity and working together should be carried forward. 

"So let us contribute. Let us continue to tell this great story of friendship, helping each other to join hands to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between our two peoples."

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday

Cover image: CCTV