"When Lawrence Fong visited museum ship HMS Belfast with his wife and children in 2024, he had no idea that he was about to make an extraordinary discovery. In the ship's East Asia Mess Decks he noticed a photo, and on reading the caption recognised the name of the person photographed - Lau So. That was the name of his maternal grandfather, but he knew little about him. He did know that his grandfather was a sailor during the Korean War and had died when Lawrence's mother was very young."
"In that role Lau So oversaw senior officers' meals and living quarters and was "remembered as well-liked". After his death, the ship docked so he could be buried on land in accordance with Chinese custom. His family received compensation and donations and Lau So's wife, Lawrence's grandmother, remarried a few years later. Today, Lau So's four grandchildren live between the UK and Hong Kong and remain a close-knit family."
Lawrence Fong visited HMS Belfast in 2024 with his wife and children and noticed a photograph in the East Asia Mess Decks bearing the name Lau So. Lau So was Lawrence's maternal grandfather and a sailor who served during the Korean War, dying when Lawrence's mother was very young. HMS Belfast was launched in 1938, served in World War Two and the Korean War, and has been docked on the River Thames as a museum since 1971. In 2025 museum volunteers and archives confirmed Lau So's service and identity. He served as leading steward, oversaw senior officers' meals and living quarters, was well-liked, was returned to land for burial under Chinese custom, and his family received compensation; his grandchildren now live between the UK and Hong Kong.
Read at www.bbc.com
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