A MEMORIAL to Japanese sailors who died at the end of the First World War was unveiled today (October 4), drawing royalty and visitors from around the world.

The Hirano Maru, a Japanese merchant ship, was sunk by the German submarine, the UB91, on October 4, 1918 - one month before the end of the First World War.

Western Telegraph:

While travelling from Liverpool to Yokohama, the Hirano Maru was struck by a torpedo 200 miles south of Ireland, apart from 29 survivors the ship’s 320 strong crew was lost.

Ten bodies washed ashore and were given a burial in St Mary’s Churchyard in Angle.

A new memorial, carved from grey granite, with inscriptions in Japanese, Welsh and English replaced a previous memorial made from wood, which has long since rotted away.

His Royal Highness Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, lay a wreath on the memorial, alongside representatives from Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the Shipping company that owned the Hirano Maru.

Western Telegraph:

Yoshiko Nakamura - granddaughter of Japanese Naval officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shintaro Yamamoto, who died during the sinking - travelled from Tokyo wither daughter, Saya Tsuzuki, to lay a wreath at the memorial.

Speaking through a translator, Mrs Nakamura said: “I’m very thankful, I feel like I’m dreaming.

“I found out through the newspaper in Japan that the memorial was going to be placed here. I have got a family photo album, It explained how he was to leave on a ship on October 3, 1918, and the next day he was killed.

“I didn’t know that this was the place where he was buried.

“I feel very relieved to know the resting place and that a memorial was built here.”

David James, who proposed the new memorial hailed the event as a big success.

“I was delighted to see so many Japanese people here. With so many people coming together in an act of remembrance and commemoration.”