REGULAR TROOPS AT FIJI

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1943, Page 1

REGULAR TROOPS AT FIJI

SENT TO .ADVANCED PACIFIC AREA. SUVA, May 14.

It is officially announced that regular troops from Fiji are stationed in an advanced Pacific area. Tuesday, April 13, will live long in the memories of residents of Suva, as the day was combined with pride and sadness—pride that tne colony’s forces were granted the privilege of going overseas, and sadness at the inevitable parting of loved ones. Such sums up the embarkation dajy Not since December 31, 1914, the day of the embarkation of the first Fiji contingent for the first World War, have such scenes been witnessed in the capital. Owing to the Pacific war no advance publicity was pos 7 sible, but it [was generally known that the Ist Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Forces was going overseas. At the last minute arrangements were made for a march through the town to enable the citizens. to pay tribute to the troops. When the news was circualted by word of mou'th, buildings were beflagged and the line of march was crowded well before the parade began. An officer admmistering the Government and a United States Commanding General took the* salute from the Battalion, led by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. K. Taylor, a former Wellington representative footballer. All were impressed by the appearance of the men, who were fit, alert, and ready for anything. A fusillade of cheers followed the Battalion through the town from the saluting base to the wharf. At several halts relations and friends crowded close for final farewells. Similar scenes were enacted outside the wharf barriers before the men moved forward to scale the cargo nets to the transport’s deck. Such was the embarkation day, 1943, when men of Fiji. Europeans of mixed descent, and natives embarked to take their place in the front line and play their part in the United Nations’ fight for freedom.