IN 1976, Papua New Guinea refused a request from Fiji for the body of its only Victoria Cross recipient be brought home to a hero’s grave.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on September 9 that year, Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu was buried in Bita Paka War Cemetery, near Rabaul.
He died in action on Bougainville Island while fighting with Allied forces during World War II.
The Sydney Daily Mirror reported Papua New Guinea officials were sympathetic to the request but could not go ahead because of a protocol agreement affecting war ceremonies.
In 1975, Papua New Guinea agreed the cemeteries were seen as “international islands”, wherever they were located.
This placed them under the administration of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in London, which had strict rules about the removal of remains.
The move to return Corporal Sukanaivalu’s body came after prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara made a pilgrimage to his grave.
According to the article, it was hoped that the body would be removed during deputy prime minister Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau’s visit to Papua News Guinea.
It was reported that both governments, as members of the Commonwealth, accepted the arrangement.
However, there was disappointment in Papua New Guinea’s failure to grant what was considered a valid request
Corporal Sukanaivalu was killed in June 1944 while trying to rescue his wounded comrades.
After exposing himself to rescue more of his comrades, Corporal Sukanaivalu was hit by a machine gun burst.
The article stated the Papua New Guinea High Commission in Suva was unable to comment regarding the refusal.