2000-PLUS FIJIANS RECRUITED IN BRITISH ARMY SINCE 1961
FIJI AND UK’S STRONG PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES, A TESTAMENT TO THE DEEP-ROOTED FRIENDSHIP 212 Fijians were first recruited to serve in the British Armed Forces then
Since the first recruitment of Fijians to the British Army Forces began, more than 2000 have been recruited, many of whom and their families, have called the United Kingdom their home. A strong and enduring relationship was the focal point of discussions between Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, David Cameron, in London.
Mr Rabuka said the Fiji and UK’s strong people-to-people ties were a testament to the deep-rooted friendship and it extended to areas from education and sports to employment, where Fijians have made significant contributions to the UK.
Our PM also had brief discussions on the Sustainable Development Agenda and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa this October.
In 1962, the first 212 Fijians were recruited to serve in the British Armed Forces. Recruitment resumed in 1997 after Fiji’s readmission to the Commonwealth, many of whom now call the UK home. Mr Cameron is the UK’s former Prime Minister between 2010 and 2016.
Visiting fallen Fijian hero
Meanwhle, Mr Rabuka also visited the resting place of the late Adrian Underwood at Charlton Cemetery in Andover, Hampshire.
The late Mr Underwood died on July 29, 2021, in an explosive-laden drone attack made in Iran, which targeted the Israelioperated merchant tanker Mercer Street off the coast of Oman.
Mr Rabuka said it was an emotional moment for him.
“Reflecting on his life as a true son of Fiji who was loyal to the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice. He was a former British Army personnel, and family to us, as he was married to my niece, Kesaia Raivoce-Underwood,” Mr Rabuka said.
“He was a loving father to Zack and a devoted husband. We will always remember him. To Kesa and Zack, may you continue to find peace and comfort. God bless you both.”
Zack was six-years-old when his father passed away.
Mr Underwood was part of the security detail of the ship. He was in the pilothouse when the so-called ‘Kamikaze Drone’ hit the ship.
He was not supposed to have been part of the trip. He had swapped shifts with his best friend, Dino Lord.
Mr Underwood was the youngest of the four siblings. He grew up in Samabula and was a Marist Old Boy.
He was working for Telecom Fiji when he was recruited into the British Army in 2000 at the age of 23.