McGOWAN, WILLIAM (July 07, 1838 — April 06, 1881) Ship's Master. At the maritime forefront during years of massacres and unrest, bankruptcy, upheaval and jousting for supremacy by Chiefs Maafu and Cakobau. By Robyn Mortimer William McGowan, ship’s captain operating out of Levuka in 1871, was born on the 7th of July, 1838 in the town of Ayr, in south west Scotland. I found only the one William McGowan born in that year, in that place, and he was the son of Captain William McGowan, … [Read more...] about Capt. William McGowan
Shirley Hemming
HEMMING, SHIRLEY CONSTANCE (1923 — January 1, 2019) Widow of Dr. George Hemming, Co-founder of The Bayly Clinic, Suva Volunteer Almoner at the Suva Welfare Centre for 12-years By R A B (Tony) Snowsill Shirley Constance Miller, - Snowsill, - Hemming was first married to Mr Alan "Soot" Snowsill on April 27, 1946. They were married in the Catholic Church at Lawaqa, Nadroga – (That’s now a suburb of Sigatoka) – by the legendary Father T.M. Desbois. Bill Clark of Korolevu fame was the … [Read more...] about Shirley Hemming
Laurier Parham
PARHAM, WILFRID LAURIER (March 18, 1900 — November 13, 1942) Agricultural Officer, Dept of Agriculture, Fiji 1930-1942 2nd Lieutenant, Platoon Commander, Tailevu Company, Home Guard Commended for Introduction of Irrigation in the Central Division, Viti Levu By Phyllis Parham Reeve My father began keeping a journal in 1912. He was the same age as the century, and for him the most significant event of the year was the sinking of the Titanic. The pages are heavy with paste and … [Read more...] about Laurier Parham
Fijian Ex-Servicemen
On this page we acknowledge the service of all Fijians who served their country in WWI; WWII; Malaya; Lebanon; Sinai; and Timor. The Unknown Soldier By Jim Sanday The Unknown Soldier is listed as a "Fijian Scout'. I am guessing he would have been a member of the 1st Commando, Fiji Guerrillas (as they were known), who were the first in action on December 28, 1942 and whose exploits led to other units from Fiji being sent to the Solomon Islands. The Battle of Bougainville - Papua new … [Read more...] about Fijian Ex-Servicemen
Archives On Fiji Families
By Dr. Mike Gosling Bula vinaka, I have had several requests from individual family members for information on their respective "Fiji Father", which they are finding very difficult to source. As Editor of this website I do not do research on Fiji families, relying on family members to research and write their article on their forebear. However, it occurred to me that we could have a webpage where we collate this information for all to access and continue their research. I am seeking … [Read more...] about Archives On Fiji Families
Qaravi Na’i Tavi
Qaravi Na’i Tavi They Did Their Duty Soldiers from Fiji in the Great War by Christine Liava’a ISBN 987 1 877332 62 3 Published: 1 January, 2009 Price: NZ$120.00 plus pack & post Published by Polygraphia Ltd www.polygraphianz.com (NOTE: It appears this book is not currently available. Contact Polygraphia Ltd) At the beginning of the Great War 1914-1918, Lord Kitchener put out a call to arms to the British Empire. Fiji, a small colony in the South Pacific, responded … [Read more...] about Qaravi Na’i Tavi
Francis Faddy
FADDY, FRANCIS LEOPOLD (1889 — 1946) Enlisted, Second Fiji Contingent, 1915 World War I 1914-1918 Lieutenant, Kings Royal Rifles Corps Captain, 2/89 Punjabi Regiment Dairy Farmer, 'Vunibaka', Tailevu North By Jim Sanday Francis Leopold Faddy was Born October 1889 in Wollongong, NSW, Australia, the son of Dr William George Faddy and his wife Ruth nee Johnstone. Francis Faddy resided at Sigatoka, Fiji, working as a store assistant. Francis was the brother of Captain Norman … [Read more...] about Francis Faddy
Norman Faddy
FADDY, NORMAN WALTER MC (Bar) (1888 — 1934) Inspector of Plantations Enlisted, Second Fiji Contingent, 1915 World War I 1914-1918 Captain, Kings Royal Rifles Corps Dairy Farmer, 'Vunibaka', Tailevu North By Jim Sanday Norman Walter Faddy was the son of medical practitioner Doctor William Faddy of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, and his wife Ruth Harriett Johnston, an English lady, who was living with one of her sons in the Sigatoka Valley, Fiji, in the early 1900’s. He was brother to … [Read more...] about Norman Faddy