A Scot By Absorption
p. 87 · Read in the full issue
Much Quoted Ratu
Cakobau Is
THE following story of Ratu Edward Cakobau, of Fiji, is quoted from Red Shadow Over Malaya, by Brigadier Henniker, CBE,
Dso, Mc.
At the time Ratu Edward was Second-in-Command of the Ist Battalion of the Fiji Infantry Regi ment, serving under Brigadier Henniker in Malaya.
“Edward Cakobau was a tall up standing man wearing the Military Cross ribbon, won in the campaign in the South-West Pacific.
“He was by profession an officer in the Administration of his own country. He would have been a leader in any company, but amongst his own people he was also a hereditary Chief and enjoyed an authority that could not be disputed.
“Ted Cakobau introduced a now well-known story by announcing in the club that he was a Scot ‘by absorption.’
“When asked to explain, he spoke as follows: Tn the days of my great-grandfather, a sailing ship, outward bound from Glasgow, was wrecked on one of the islands. The survivors struggled ashore and my forefathers ate them; since when Scottish blood has always run in our veins.’ ”