Old fisherman recalls heroic act

An enduring relationship

Guerrilla fighting groups eventually smuggled the three remaining POWs across China to British forces operating in the west, and they were repatriated to Britain.

On Miaozi, the largest of the Dongji Islands, Liang's daughter, Liang Yindi, 48, is one of several locals who take care of a small museum dedicated to the sinking of the Lisbon Maru. Visitors are few and far between, but she said, "It's important for people to remember there is a link between the people here and Britain, for people to know that 70 years ago there were Chinese fishermen who were brave and warm-hearted."

Ten years ago, the island received a small group of elderly British veterans who had survived the tragedy. Liang is unsure, but he thinks one of the men was among the three he helped to save. "We hugged and we cried," he said. "I had never forgotten them."

Banham said he only knows of one British veteran from the sinking who is still alive. Similarly, Shen is believed to be the last of the rescuers.

Lying in his sickbed, Shen said he never expected or wanted accolades for doing the right thing. He also met with one of the returning veterans in 2005. The embrace they shared was reward enough.

"It is better to save one life than to build a temple to the gods," he said.

Contact the writers through josephcatanzaro@chinadaily.com.cn