A Remembrance Sunday Service to remember the Tongan soldiers who served and fell on the battlefields of the First and the Second World Wars, was held on 13 November at the Cenotaph in Nuku'alofa.

Hosted by His Majesty’s Armed Forces, the commemoration, held for the first time post COVID, once again reminded Tongans of those who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom today.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a 'Ulukalala laid the first wreath followed by the Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu.

They were joined by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Captain Sione Ulakai, Deputy Commissioner of Tonga Police, Tevita Vailea, British High Commissioner, High Commissioners of New Zealand and Australia, the Ambassador of China, a representative from Japan, and other Honorary Consuls from other countries, with retired soldiers and families of the fallen soldiers.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Sevenitini Toumou’a, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu, Lord Chief Justice Whitten KC, military and police attaché of foreign countries, and members of the community.

Remembrance Sunday Service was first held in Tonga in 1923, during the reign of Queen Salote Tupou III at the Pangai Si’i cenotaph.

According to HMAF historians, during the First World War, 56 Tongan soldiers joined the New Zealand Maori Battalion. A majority of the Tongan soldiers were infantry soldiers, serving at the frontlines in Palestine and France.