This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45711060

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
WW1: New memorial for Pembrokeshire's Japanese dead WW1: New memorial for Pembrokeshire's Japanese dead
(35 minutes later)
A new memorial is being unveiled in a Pembrokeshire churchyard to the crew and passengers of a Japanese merchant ship sunk by a U-boat in the last weeks of World War One.A new memorial is being unveiled in a Pembrokeshire churchyard to the crew and passengers of a Japanese merchant ship sunk by a U-boat in the last weeks of World War One.
Over 300 died aboard the Hirano Maru and 10 are recorded as buried at Angle Church.Over 300 died aboard the Hirano Maru and 10 are recorded as buried at Angle Church.
But the original wooden memorial there has rotted away and local people have raised money for a replacement.But the original wooden memorial there has rotted away and local people have raised money for a replacement.
Japanese officials and families will be at Thursday's ceremony.Japanese officials and families will be at Thursday's ceremony.
The Duke of Gloucester will perform the unveiling, 100 years to the day since the sinking, in front of representatives of the Japanese embassy as well as the shipping line and the granddaughter of an officer aboard the Hirano Maru.The Duke of Gloucester will perform the unveiling, 100 years to the day since the sinking, in front of representatives of the Japanese embassy as well as the shipping line and the granddaughter of an officer aboard the Hirano Maru.
Local historian David James who started the campaign for the new memorial said he felt "humbled that my efforts should have such and impact on so many people".Local historian David James who started the campaign for the new memorial said he felt "humbled that my efforts should have such and impact on so many people".
The sinking was the worst maritime loss of life for Japan in the war but Mr James said: "I'm surprised at the strength of feeling in the country.The sinking was the worst maritime loss of life for Japan in the war but Mr James said: "I'm surprised at the strength of feeling in the country.
"I've known about the monument for many years."I've known about the monument for many years.
"I always though someone ought to do something about it, but then realised that someone was me.""I always though someone ought to do something about it, but then realised that someone was me."
Was the WW1 U-boat a deathtrap?
Witness - The Sinking of the Lusitania
New 3D image of tanker sunk by U-boat off Anglesey
The Hirano Maru sailed from Liverpool on I October 1918 heading for Yokohama via South Africa with 320 people aboard, carrying mixed cargo and passengers.The Hirano Maru sailed from Liverpool on I October 1918 heading for Yokohama via South Africa with 320 people aboard, carrying mixed cargo and passengers.
Japan was a staunch ally of Britain and the Hirano Maru's skipper was actually Scotsman Hector Frazer, a long term employee of owners the NYK line.Japan was a staunch ally of Britain and the Hirano Maru's skipper was actually Scotsman Hector Frazer, a long term employee of owners the NYK line.
The following morning, she joined the south-bound convoy OE-23 and sailed into the deadly U-boat hunting ground formed by the triangle of Pembrokeshire, Cornwall and Ireland.The following morning, she joined the south-bound convoy OE-23 and sailed into the deadly U-boat hunting ground formed by the triangle of Pembrokeshire, Cornwall and Ireland.
UB-91 was one of the latest class III German submarines, fast and heavily armed, and on her second tour after being launched in March, commanded by Wolfgang Hans Wertwig.UB-91 was one of the latest class III German submarines, fast and heavily armed, and on her second tour after being launched in March, commanded by Wolfgang Hans Wertwig.
Only days earlier it had used a single torpedo to sink the US coastguard cutter Tampa which had been on its way to Milford Haven. All 131 officers, crew and passengers died.Only days earlier it had used a single torpedo to sink the US coastguard cutter Tampa which had been on its way to Milford Haven. All 131 officers, crew and passengers died.
At around dawn on 4 October UB-91 spotted the Hirano Maru through torrents of rain and heavy seas and fired off two torpedoes. It sank within minutes.At around dawn on 4 October UB-91 spotted the Hirano Maru through torrents of rain and heavy seas and fired off two torpedoes. It sank within minutes.
A news agency reported: "The seamen hurriedly attempted to launch the boats, but they were smashed against the sides.A news agency reported: "The seamen hurriedly attempted to launch the boats, but they were smashed against the sides.
"The passengers realised the disaster and rushed up on deck to find huge waves sweeping men, women and children into the sea."The passengers realised the disaster and rushed up on deck to find huge waves sweeping men, women and children into the sea.
"Soon a couple of hundred were fighting for their lives in the waves, piteously shrieking for help.""Soon a couple of hundred were fighting for their lives in the waves, piteously shrieking for help."
The escort USS Sterret arrived two hours later and stopped to pick up survivors.The escort USS Sterret arrived two hours later and stopped to pick up survivors.
UB-91 though was lying in wait and launched a second attack.UB-91 though was lying in wait and launched a second attack.
The US warship spotted the torpedo tracks and took evasive action before responding with depth charges.The US warship spotted the torpedo tracks and took evasive action before responding with depth charges.
But it was forced to abandon the rescue.But it was forced to abandon the rescue.
Sterret returned within 50 minutes but most of those in the water were already dead from hypothermia.Sterret returned within 50 minutes but most of those in the water were already dead from hypothermia.
UB-91 and her crew escaped to surrender at Harwich after the armistice.UB-91 and her crew escaped to surrender at Harwich after the armistice.
But in a strange twist the German U-Boat, albeit with a British crew, subsequently went on a fund-raising tour of Welsh ports including Pembroke Dock.But in a strange twist the German U-Boat, albeit with a British crew, subsequently went on a fund-raising tour of Welsh ports including Pembroke Dock.
It was reported to have raised £33 while at Swansea's North Dock Basin in January 1919.It was reported to have raised £33 while at Swansea's North Dock Basin in January 1919.
Thousands of people had to be turned away, so many that a return visit was promised.Thousands of people had to be turned away, so many that a return visit was promised.
UB-91 was finally broken up for scrap at Briton Ferry in 1921.UB-91 was finally broken up for scrap at Briton Ferry in 1921.
But its deck gun became part of Chepstow's war memorial. It still survives today.But its deck gun became part of Chepstow's war memorial. It still survives today.