Joseva S. Vatubua

British Private Joseva Saqanagonedau Vatubua, age 24, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, originally from Fiji, died on January 1, 2011, after he was caught in an explosion in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Family members stated that he was "a hugely loved man". 

Pte Vatubua was deployed to Afghanistan in October last year with B Company, 5 Scots, as part of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Battle Group. He had been part of an operation targeting known enemy firing positions north of the village of Saidabad Kalayk, when he was killed by a bomb blast from the wall of a compound.

After attending Laucala Bay Secondary School, he joined the British Army in 2007 and was posted to B Company 5 Scots as a rifleman.  Commanding officers described Joseva as a "loyal, well loved and respected young soldier" and "His scale was colossal - he dominated the front row, dwarfed his machine gun and delivered fiery, martial passion in abundance."

He leaves behind his wife Claudette.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Joseva Vatubua is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen