ONE of the last things Dereck Jang did before he left Fiji last night was pay his respects to his grandparent’s grave at Suva’s Reservoir Rd.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on January 24, 2000, tears were streaming down his face when it finally dawned on him that he would not be around for the next five years.
He was one of a group of applicants selected to join the British Army.
The 19-year-old, who was looking for a job after leaving school, said he never dreamed of a chance as golden as this would come his way.
The former arts student at Marist Brothers High School said he had a dying ambition to study civil law.
“But the prospects of joining the British Army is one only a fool would refuse,” Mr Jang said.
“I want to encourage young people to take up promising chances as this. And for the rest of the applicants coming up (to England) I wish them all the best.”
His words were echoed by British High Commissioner to Fiji Michael Dibben on that day.
Mr Jang said he had done everything he wanted to do before he left.
The eldest of seven brothers, he hoped to see them in the army in time to come.
“Our training here takes up 95 per cent on the scoreboard. Another five per cent which involves mainly physical training lies ahead in England. That five per cent won’t make difference — I am confident I will make it.”
Mr Jang was pinning his hopes on joining the Parachute Regiment and join other relatives in England.
He was well versed about the workings of the British Army.
“We have a maximum of 22 years of service,” he said.
Mr Jang’s passion was in dancing, gardening, rugby, and athletics.
His mother Georgina Jang said they were ecstatic about his selection.
In between tears, she said, “Well, at least we’ll have more food to eat now. Dereck is a big eater. I hope all my seven Spanish angels (her sons) join the British Army one day.
“We didn’t feel his going until the eleventh hour neared.”
The British High Commission said the group that left the day before the article was published was the first of a few to leave for England.
According to spokesperson Vineeta Nand, they did not leave as a batch.
She said the applicants had to do their own paperwork and visas in Fiji.
The midnight flight from Nadi stopped over at Los Angeles before heading for Heathrow Airport in London where they were met by British Army officials.
