Living in New Zealand and employed as a medical student at time of enlistment 11 May 1918 in Auckland. Enlisted into the Māori Reinforcements and then transferred to the 4th Rarotongan Contingent 7 July 1918. Discharged 5 December 1918. Listed on Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA, Nikao Rarotonga as 'J.W. VEA'.

Biography written by his granddaughter Lusitania Vete-Feki and reproduced here with permission:

'I never had the privilege of meeting my Grandfather Uili although I have come to know a lot about him from family members and relatives of both his mum and his dad and of course from my mum. However, Grandma Tupou in my memory, never talked about him, I wonder why.

Uili was said to be someone of so many characters. He was a medical student, a soldier in the NZ Army, a Lawyer and he was often referred to as a Setuata (Steward). I'm still not sure why he was described as a Steward. Anyway, what I know of him, I will try to give you an idea what was he like.

He was born 19 December 1894. Parents were Filipe Vea and Lesieli Fiotu'u Langi-Vea. Don't really know where he was educated, but he must have been well educated, could be at St Andrews College as his Aunt Tautala ki Lakepa Langi (mother Lesieli F Langi's sister) was married to Y. Sang Mark, who was the first teacher to start this Anglican Church school and not to forget his father Filipe Vea was the first Tongan Deacon of the Anglican Church. But it doesn't really matter, all I could say, Grandfather Uili was a very clever man.

On 18 March 1918, he applied for a passport to go to Auckland and on his application, it was stated, a medical student, age 23 years old. His application was witnessed by Y. Sang Mark.

From the Archives NZ. reference: BBAO 5552/5a page 121:
It appeared that Uili (J.W. Vea, he was called) Departed Tonga on the vessel "TALUNE" and arrived in Auckland 02 April 1918 (Notes: Male. Age 23 Occupation: MED STUDENT. Place of Birth TONGA.)

Military Record
I could see from his Military Record it said that he entered NZ on 11 May 1918, so I guess he pretty much went straight into the Army (NZ Expeditionary Force) this was of course during World War I (1914-1918).

Uili returned to Tonga to his wife Sela 'Oto'ota 'One one whom he married 1917 before he left for NZ. Uili and Sela had their son Samiuela Loni (Ron) Vea Snr on the 12 April 1927.

Maybe, Grandfather Uili started his journey to become a Lawyer at this time. Maybe he was influenced by his Uncle Taukolo Langi, who was a Lawyer already, to become one. Taukolo Langi was Uili's mum's brother.

I never knew of any other Court Cases represented by Uili except one. In the Land Court 1937 between Siu Pangia and Kalaniuvalu. Uili Vea was the Lawyer for Siu Pangia.

Sela 'One'One Vea died 1 September 1947 and Uili married Salote Fetutuki 'One'one, Sela's sister but they didn't have any children. Fetutuki passed away 1950. Grandpa Uili passed away 5 April 1951 and they are all buried at Telekava Cemetery (Tonga).'