Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vana'ali'ali Sukuna [66149] ⁹⁷

  Research Notes:

Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vana'ali'ali Sukuna, born 22nd April 1888 in Bau, 2nd Tui Lau 1938/1958, K.B.E. [cr.1946], C.B.E. [cr.1939], in his time, he was regarded as a credible contender for the title of Tui Viti; he was educated privately by Rev. Charles Andrew, and at Wanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand, he joined the civil service as a fifth class clerk in 1907, became assistant master of the Lakeba school and also became visiting examiner at Queen Victoria School and Levuka Public School in 1909; he entered Wadham College, Oxford in 1913 to study history, graduating in 1918; during World War I, he joined the French Foreign Legion being awarded the Croix de Guerre, after which he proceeded to the Middle Temple in London, and by 1921 had graduated with both a B.A. and an LL.B. degree (becoming the first-ever Fijian to receive a university degree), he was instrumental in establishing the Native Land Trust Board, and was appointed the first Speaker of the Legislative Council in 1954; married 1stly, 1928, Adi Maraia Vosawale, born 17th March 1903 in Bau, M.B.E., died 1st August 1956, married 2ndly, 1950, Adi Maca Likutabua, born 1934, died 2000, daughter of Roko Lenaitasi Gucake. He died spl 30th May 1958.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/states/fiji/vunivalu.html

Son of Rt Jone Madraiwiwi-Father of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and Adi Litiana Maopa
Husband of Adi Maraia Vosawale
Brother of Adi Asenaca Teimumu Vuikaba ; Ratu Tiali Wimbledon Thomas Vuiyasawu (Roko Tui Lomaiviti) ; Ratu Joni Antonio Rabici Doviverata (Roko Tui Bau) ; Adi Kacaraini Loaloakubou and Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua

http://www.geni.com/people/Ratu-Josefa-Lalabalavu-Vana-ali-ali-Sukuna-Tui-Lau/6000000002870347994

  Noted events in his life were:

• Military Service: French Foreign Legion, Abt 1918. During World War I, he joined the French Foreign Legion being awarded the Croix de Guerre

• Degree: B.A. and LL.B, Bef 1921. by 1921 had graduated with both a B.A. and an LL.B. degree (becoming the first-ever Fijian to receive a university degree),

• Acceded: Tui Lau, 1938. 2nd Tui Lau 1938/1958,

• Acceded: Speaker of the Legislative Council, 1954. first Speaker of the Legislative Council in 1954;

Josefa married Adi Maraia Vosawale [66150] [MRIN: 551619285] in 1928. (Adi Maraia Vosawale [66150] was born 17th March 1903 in Bau, Tailevu, Fiji, Pacific Islands and died on 1 Aug 1956.)

Josefa next married Adi Maca Likutabua [66151] [MRIN: 551619286], daughter of Roko Lenaitasi Gucake [66152] and Unknown, in 1950. (Adi Maca Likutabua [66151] was born in 1934 and died in 2000.)

Josefa next married Roko Melaia Lutu [66203] [MRIN: 551619317], daughter of Unknown and Roko J. R. Malani [66201] [LVDT-XDC].