British Army Fijian Soldiers Commemorate Fallen Comrade

British Army Fijian soldiers gathered to welcome His Excellency the High Commissioner of Fiji to Bicester Garrison to officially open the Silibaravi Community Centre, on Friday.

It was named in honour of one of their fallen comrades.

Private Silibaravi died while serving with 23 Pioneer Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps.

He was killed in an attack whilst on operations in the Nahre-Saraj district of Afghanistan on May 4th, 2012.

Corporal Lalauvaki Atunaisa, from 17 Port Maritime, said Private Silibaravi would be "looking down" on them as they commemorated his life.

"For me it is unexplainable what he has done, to fight for the country and also for his comrades."

His Excellency, Mr Jitoko Tikolevo and the Garrison Commander were welcomed to the centre by soldiers and veterans.

A traditional ceremony marked the occasion which included the presentation of gifts in the form of coconut shells filled with a drink called kava made from the root of the piper methysticum (pepper plant). 

The new community centre was formerly a Garrison church and will now host a range of activities including yoga classes, coffee mornings and children’s play.  

It will also serve as a place of worship for the Garrison’s multicultural communities including the Fijians.

Bearing the name of The Silibaravi Centre it will serve in honour of the much loved and sorely missed soldier affectionately known simply as Sili.