Private
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
5th Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
British Army
He was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
While targeting enemy positions, Pte Vatubua was killed by an improvised explosive device hidden in the wall of a compound near the village of Saidabad Kalay in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Suva, Fiji and attended Laucala Bay Secondary School. Pte Vatubua joined the British Army in 2007 and joined B Company 5 SCOTS on completion of infantry training. He excelled in his position as a general purpose machine gunner and had a promising career ahead of him. Known as Big Joe, he was a popular and larger-than-life character. He was also a talented sportsman and outstanding rugby player.
Pte Vatubua leaves behind his wife Claudette, mother Raijeli, two sisters, other relatives and many friends. His father passed away in 1995. The family issued a statement, "As a family we can't put into words how proud we are of Joseva. He loved his job and he loved being in the family of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Joseva was a keen rugby player and he was proud to play for the Army Sevens team. Joseva was also a member of the Battalion's Fijian Choir and he has sung in Canterbury Cathedral. Joseva is a hugely loved man who we will always miss but never forget."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham on January 11, 2011 and a memorial service was held January 13 at Canterbury Cathedral. The body of Pte Vatubua was returned to Fiji for funeral at Vatuwaqa Methodist Church on January 25, 2011 and burial at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Suva.
*Thanks to SR, Forscher and Gareth Rodger for the photos
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
5th Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
British Army
He was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
While targeting enemy positions, Pte Vatubua was killed by an improvised explosive device hidden in the wall of a compound near the village of Saidabad Kalay in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Suva, Fiji and attended Laucala Bay Secondary School. Pte Vatubua joined the British Army in 2007 and joined B Company 5 SCOTS on completion of infantry training. He excelled in his position as a general purpose machine gunner and had a promising career ahead of him. Known as Big Joe, he was a popular and larger-than-life character. He was also a talented sportsman and outstanding rugby player.
Pte Vatubua leaves behind his wife Claudette, mother Raijeli, two sisters, other relatives and many friends. His father passed away in 1995. The family issued a statement, "As a family we can't put into words how proud we are of Joseva. He loved his job and he loved being in the family of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Joseva was a keen rugby player and he was proud to play for the Army Sevens team. Joseva was also a member of the Battalion's Fijian Choir and he has sung in Canterbury Cathedral. Joseva is a hugely loved man who we will always miss but never forget."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham on January 11, 2011 and a memorial service was held January 13 at Canterbury Cathedral. The body of Pte Vatubua was returned to Fiji for funeral at Vatuwaqa Methodist Church on January 25, 2011 and burial at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Suva.
*Thanks to SR, Forscher and Gareth Rodger for the photos
Private
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
5th Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
British Army
He was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
While targeting enemy positions, Pte Vatubua was killed by an improvised explosive device hidden in the wall of a compound near the village of Saidabad Kalay in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Suva, Fiji and attended Laucala Bay Secondary School. Pte Vatubua joined the British Army in 2007 and joined B Company 5 SCOTS on completion of infantry training. He excelled in his position as a general purpose machine gunner and had a promising career ahead of him. Known as Big Joe, he was a popular and larger-than-life character. He was also a talented sportsman and outstanding rugby player.
Pte Vatubua leaves behind his wife Claudette, mother Raijeli, two sisters, other relatives and many friends. His father passed away in 1995. The family issued a statement, "As a family we can't put into words how proud we are of Joseva. He loved his job and he loved being in the family of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Joseva was a keen rugby player and he was proud to play for the Army Sevens team. Joseva was also a member of the Battalion's Fijian Choir and he has sung in Canterbury Cathedral. Joseva is a hugely loved man who we will always miss but never forget."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham on January 11, 2011 and a memorial service was held January 13 at Canterbury Cathedral. The body of Pte Vatubua was returned to Fiji for funeral at Vatuwaqa Methodist Church on January 25, 2011 and burial at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Suva.
*Thanks to SR, Forscher and Gareth Rodger for the photos
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
5th Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
British Army
He was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Battle Group deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
While targeting enemy positions, Pte Vatubua was killed by an improvised explosive device hidden in the wall of a compound near the village of Saidabad Kalay in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Suva, Fiji and attended Laucala Bay Secondary School. Pte Vatubua joined the British Army in 2007 and joined B Company 5 SCOTS on completion of infantry training. He excelled in his position as a general purpose machine gunner and had a promising career ahead of him. Known as Big Joe, he was a popular and larger-than-life character. He was also a talented sportsman and outstanding rugby player.
Pte Vatubua leaves behind his wife Claudette, mother Raijeli, two sisters, other relatives and many friends. His father passed away in 1995. The family issued a statement, "As a family we can't put into words how proud we are of Joseva. He loved his job and he loved being in the family of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Joseva was a keen rugby player and he was proud to play for the Army Sevens team. Joseva was also a member of the Battalion's Fijian Choir and he has sung in Canterbury Cathedral. Joseva is a hugely loved man who we will always miss but never forget."
A repatriation ceremony was held at
RAF Lyneham on January 11, 2011 and a memorial service was held January 13 at Canterbury Cathedral. The body of Pte Vatubua was returned to Fiji for funeral at Vatuwaqa Methodist Church on January 25, 2011 and burial at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Suva.
*Thanks to SR, Forscher and Gareth Rodger for the photos
Inscription
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT
I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH
2 TIMOTHY 4:7
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