Lindsay Verrier

Born Walter Lindsay Isaac in England,[1] Verrier qualified as a doctor before emigrating to Fiji in 1938 where he worked as a medical officer in Suva, Levuka and Nadroga.[2][1] In 1940 he was transferred to the Gilbert Islands, but returned to Fiji following the Japanese invasion.[2] Upon his return he was asked to compile a national register for administering compulsory military service, leading to a lifelong interest in compiling Fijian family histories in the Bua and Macuata districts.[1] He changed his surname to Verrier in the 1940s and became responsible for compiling medical statistics.[1] He spent several months at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne in 1947–48,[3] and was later appointed a medical officer for Suva City Council.[1]

After funding the medical studies of future Prime Minister Kamisese Mara in the 1950s, he was a founder member of Mara's Alliance Party,[2] serving as its first secretary-general.[4] In the 1966 general elections he was returned unopposed from the Northern and Eastern general electors cross-voting constituency. With the Alliance winning and Mara becoming Leader of Government Business, Verrier was appointed Secretary to the Leader of Government Business.[5] However, following an argument with Mara he left the Alliance in 1968 and established the Liberal Party.[6]

When Fiji became independent in 1970, he was the second person awarded Fijian citizenship.[7] He contested the 1972 elections with the support of the National Federation Party,[8] but failed to be elected. He reconciled with Mara in 1980 when dying from cancer. After a short spell working at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, he died at Suva's Home of Compassion in April 1981 at the age of 73.[2]