Fiji PM Farewells Brigadier (Ret’d) Ian Thorpe: Great Leader, Mentor, Friend

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama paid tribute to a great leader, mentor and friend, Brigadier (Ret‘d) Ian Thor­pe of the Royal New Zealand Army who passed away at 88 years of age in Tarawera last weekend.

Brigadier Thorpe was Command­er of the then Royal Fiji Military Forces 1979 - October, 1982.

He was later Commandant of the Officers Training School in Vatu­waqa.

He first served with Fijian forces in the Malayan Emergency 1954-1956.

Brigadier Thorpe was a career military man who at 17 commenced his military studies at the Royal Military College in Duntroon, Aus­tralia where he was commissioned as a Lieutenant before furthering his studies at the British Staff Col­lege and the British Joint Services Staff College in England.

Brigadier Thorpe was appointed Commander of the New Zealand Forces in Vietnam in 1964 to 1966.

His initial involvement with the Fiji Army was during the Malayan Emergency Campaign in 1954 to 1956 when he was on secondment as a Lieutenant to the 1st Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment.

Upon his retirement from the New Zealand Army in 1979, Brigadier Thorpe was then seconded to the Royal Fiji Military Forces and ap­pointed Commander on 23 Febru­ary 1979.

Before relinquishing his appointment in October 1982, Brig­adier Thorpe successfully planned and put together a contingent to serve under the Rhodesia/ Zimba­bwe Truce Supervision Force.

De­spite numerous obstacles, he was also successful in training and de­ploying a battalion on March 1982 to serve under the Multinational Force Observers in the Sinai Penin­sula.

His visionary leadership saw him take special interest in middle rank officers to ensure that they are battle tested to take over the reins at the end of his tenure.

According to Prime Minister Bain­imarama “Brigadier Ian Thorpe brought with him a level of profes­sionalism that helped groom lead­ers within the RFMF ranks in its early days. He was a man motivated by a deep sense of duty to country and honour among comrades.”

His re-engagement under contract to the Royal Fiji Military Forces in March 1990 led to his appointment as commandant of the Officers Training School in Vatuwaqa.

“He was a strategist, a critical thinker, who knows what needs to be done and how to do it.” Prime Minister Bainimarama added.

Brigadier Ian Thorpe is survived by his wife Patricia, his three chil­dren, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Source: DEPTFO News

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