Niue’s last war veteran dies

Press, 13 June 1984, Page 6

Niue’s last war veteran dies

PA Auckland The last survivor of the World War I Niue Island battalion, Mr Fanatoa Folau, aged 98, has died in Auckland.

The 156-strong battalion was part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force that sailed to Egypt, but the tiny island force never reached the war zone. “The Crown decided that Niue Island could not spare so many good men,” said Mr Siteni Luisi, the husband of Mr Folau’s grandniece.

"After the men sailed to Egypt the Rev. Frank Law, of the Niue Island Church, appealed to the Crown that the battalion be spared from the fighting. “He said that because the island had only between 4000 and 5000 people, it could not afford the loss of so many men.” Mr Luisi said the Crown

granted the appeal and after 16 months abroad the Niue Island Battalion was sent home. During the period, 17 of the volunteers had died from sickness and other causes, and were remembered on the Niue Island roll of honour. “Makapa Mr Folau) was the only remaining member of the group,” Mr Luisi said. “He lived in Mangere after coming to New Zealand in the early 19705. ’ “All Niue Islanders are proud of those men because they were prepared to give their lives for democracy,” said Mr Luisi.