deaths

Ratu Tevita Matanikutu Naulivou In Suva on February 1.

Ratu Naulivou was the elder son of Ratu Popi Seniloli Cako bau, and the elder brother of the Vunivalu of Bau and former Governor-General of Fiji, Ratu Sir George Cakobau.

Ratu Naulivou went to the Methodist Mission School con ducted by R. A. Derrick at Davuilevu and later the Toorak Mission School in Suva.

He began his career as a trainee clerk at the Fijian Office in Suva.

He rose through the ranks and retired in 1968 as Commis sioner of Fishing Grounds (Turaga ni Veitarogi ni Qoli qoli) in the Native Lands Com mission.

Ratu Naulivou served most centres in the country. He was Roko Tui in the provinces of Ra, Rewa and Ba.

He served as Provincial Scribe at Lomaiviti, was sta tioned at Levuka, and at Naduri in Macuata.

During his time at Levuka he recruited Fijians from the vil lages in Lomaiviti for the infan try for action in the Solomons during World War 11.

He made arrangements for the United States Marine Corps to train at Koro Island.

Ratu Naulivou enlisted in the Fiji Battalion and as a young lieutenant, served in Solomon Islands on two drafts during World War 11.

He returned to Fiji and con tinued to work in the adminis tration until his retirement in 1968.

Ratu Naulivou played soccer, rugby and cricket.

He composed some popular Fijian songs and was a long serving member of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Ratu Naulivou was given an MBE in 1979 for his services as a leader, administrator, sports man and composer.

John Louis Gilmore At his home at Moana Park, Queensland Gold Coast, on February 12, aged 66.

Born in Sydney, John Gil more lived from infancy with his parents in New Britain, in pre

sent-day Papua New Guinea.

The elder Gilmores, John Senior and Flo, owned Put-put plantation on the Gazelle Peninsula south coast, and later the Rabaul Hotel, and later again the Madang Hotel.

John Gilmore Junior had the number NGX 12 in the Second Australian Imperial Force he was thus among the first dozen to enlist in the then territory.

After training in Australia he served in the Middle East with Australia’s Ninth Division. He was for a time personal driver to the divisional commander, General Sir Leslie Moreshead.

Returning to Australia in 1943, Gilmore, like a number of other pre-war New Guinea residents, was transferred to M Special Group Unit, assigned to coastwatching duties with Allied Intelligence Bureau. In Septem ber, 1943, with the rank of sergeant, he was in a group of coastwatchers landed at Cape Orford on the south coast of New Britain by the U.S. sub marine, Grouper.

Other New Guinea residents in the group included the late Alan Roberts, Charlie Bates, John Stokie, Malcolm English and Keith Johnson, as well as lan Skinner, Lou Searle and John Murphy. The reconnaiss ance party on shore to meet them included Malcolm Wright and Les Williams.

For his services in New Bri tain, especially in a skirmish with Japanese forces in the Open Bay area on the north coast, John Gilmore was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). This was the highest award open only to army “other ranks, ” and was often rated as second in significance only to the Victoria Cross. The only other persons to win this award as coast watchers were the late Ben Hall and Carden Seton. John Gil more was later promoted to lieutenant.

He retired to the Gold Coast in 1973, and in time his war time experiences began to tell on his health. He is survived by his wife Fran, three daughters and two sons. A brother, Graeme Gilmore, is a former

member of the PNG Legislative Assembly.

His funeral service at St.

Vincent’s Catholic Church, Sur fers Paradise, and afterwards at Allambe Cemetery, was attended by former comrades from M Special and Z Special Units, some of whom had travelled long distances to be present. There were also repre sentatives of the Surfers Para dise Returned Services League, the Gold Coast TPDS Associa tion, and a large number of former PNG residents lan Skinner.

Ben Jannif In Suva on March 22, aged 76.

Mr Jannif was born in Suva and was educated at Marist Convent School, Levuka.

He was the managing director for the Caines Jannif group of companies.

He was a member of the board of Unit Trust of Fiji and a director of Central Manufactur ing Company Limited.

He held many public offices associated with transport, min ing and police activities.

Mr Jannif served as the Chief Scout Commissioner for six years and won the Marlow Trophy for the most outstan ding scout in Fiji for six con secutive years, and so retained the trophy.

He was the first Indian presi dent of the Suva Chamber of Commerce. Mr Jannif was a nominated member of the Legislative Council in 1952 and served for three years on the council.

Mr Jannif was made an MBE in 1958 and an OBE early this year.

James Montague Laing On Norfolk Island in February, aged 71.

The Norfolk Islander said in an obituary tribute: “When you think of Monty you think of farming and not just ordinary farming but far ming which made an impact on the island.

“He emerged as a leader in farm production here. A very dedicated farmer, he left his mark.

“His farm at Anson Bay was a showpiece, and he supplied many local needs with many a surplus left for export.

“Together with his wife, Bet ty, they entered many exhibits in the local A. & H. Show and achieved notable success.

“During the Second World War, Monty served in the Nor folk Island Infantry Detachment and was a member of the R.S.L. He had a keen sense of humor and will be warmly remembered for his great generosity.”

Hollins Scott Crompton On Stradbroke Island, Queens land, in February, aged 59.

Suva-born Mr Crompton was a grandson of both Sir Henry Scott and Robert Crompton, once leading figures in law and politics in Fiji.

Mr Crompton was educated in New Zealand at Wanganui Collegiate School.

After leaving school he work ed for a time for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company be fore joining the Royal Fiji Milit ary Forces and serving in Malaya during the Emergency.

He left Fiji in 1958 for Austra lia, where he bought a small resort on Stradbroke Island.

Keshavbhai Bhagubhai Patel In Suva on February 1.

K. B. Patel was a pioneer businessman in Fiji, and owner of RMK Supermarket.

He went to Fiji in 1928 and set up a small business in Labasa in 1934. It later became R. K. Patel and Co.

In 1972, Mr Patel with his sons formed RMK Fiji Ltd. He moved to Suva in 1973 and opened a supermarket in Nina Street.

Mr Patel was the brother of businessman R. B. Patel.