The Fiji Battalion departs for Malaya, where they fought for 4 years.
At dawn on a June morning they arrive home to an Air Force and Naval salute as their troop ship Devonshire enters Suva Harbour. Friends and relatives pack the wharf to welcome them home. Private Ranuinui drinks yaqona in celebration on the wharf. Outside the Town Hall, His Worship the Mayor of Suva, Councillor AD Leyes salutes as troops march along crowded Victoria Parade. 30,000 people from all parts of the colony pack Albert Park to view the ceremonial welcome. Commanding Officer Lieut Colonel PK Ganilau DSO, presents tabua (Whales tooth) to his Excellency, the Governor of Fiji, Sir Ronald Garvey followed by a presentation of yoqona root (kava). Chiefs representing every province of Fiji and official guests, seated under shady Vakatunuloa, watch as Ratu Tavita Naulivou presents a tabua to Battalion on behalf of chiefs and people of Fiji. Sgt Manoa Komaitai acknowledes the presentationof the magiti. The Governor reads an address of thanks to the Battalion.
The meke (tafi) is performed by the women of the Lau Group and a spear meke (wesi) by the men of Tailevu province.
The battalion moves to Suva Barracks for a feast, joined by Major Isireli Korovulavula and their comrades. Relatives and friends join the soldiers.
The beginning of a week’s celebration for the battalion, and Lieut Colonel Ratu Penaia Ganilau and a former battalion commander Lieut Colonel Ratu Etuate Cakobau are entertained by the Governor.
Welcome home concert at Adi Cakobau School . ACS choir and boys from RKS School perform a meke.
His Excellency the Governor arrives at Albert Park Suva, for the dedication and presentation of New Regiment colours. A public holiday is given to the colony. A march past of old colours and the ceremony and blessing of the new colours, then the parade.
The next day the battalion attends a service at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva and visits the Rehabilitation Service for the issue of equipment etc. before returning to their
respective homes and villages, some four days by boat to the outer islands of Vatulele, Yanuca, Naviti, Viwa (The Yasawa Group).
From villages throughout the province of Ra, people arrive at Nanukaloa on the shores of Viti Levu Bay to welcome their men home. Preparations for feast and ceremony take place. A tabua is presented to Major HWR Peterson, a NZ Officer of the First Battalion. Ceremonial welcome by the chief Ratu Niko Kamaitai. Capt Niwa Senibici presents a tabua on behalf of the soldiers . A yaqona (kava) ceremony and then celebrations take place until evening. Only then do the soldiers of the Battalion return to their homes to be with their families.
The End.
Note:
(1) Ratu Niko Komaitai and Sgt. Manoa Komaitai are from the same family from Bau Island. Their family is the traditional herald (spokesman) of the chiefly family of Cacobau.
(2) Ratu Niko Komaitai was the Mata-ni-vanua (Herald) when the Queen visited Fiji in 1954.