British Campaign Medals were today awarded to Tonga's first contingent of 55 soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan at the end of 2010,

The decorations were presented by the British Charge d'Affairs to Tonga Mr Tim Smart, assisted by the British Defence Adviser, Lt. Col. Tim Woodman in a special ceremony at the Taliai Military Camp.

Lt. Col Woodman said that it was rare for the British government to award medals to foreign soldiers, but they decided to do so because when the British asked for help with the war in Afghanistan, "Tonga stepped up and said, we will."

He also reminded the gathering that the occasion which began at 10 am also has a historical significance; that on the 11th hour of 11/11 in 1918 guns fell silent on the First World War battlefields.

The Campaign Medals are similar to Service Medals, but carry a higher status, as the award usually involves deployment to a foreign region or service in a combat zone. The widespread use of campaign medals back to the Napoleonic Wars when Napoleon Bonaparte ordered a large number of ribbons and medals for issue to the soldiers serving under his command. Observing the soldiers pride at the receipt of such decorations, and their desire to receive more such awards, Napoleon was quoted as saying: "With a handful of ribbons I can conquer all of Europe."

Lt. Col Woodman said that the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan commended very highly the service provided by the Tongan soldiers. The only complaint that he had heard was from the kitchen staff who had to cook more food for the hungry Tongans.

A 55-members contingent of Tongan soldiers serve in Afghanistan under a NATO-led mission for six months. A second contingent is currently in Afghanistan, and a third contingent is on the way to take over from them at the end of the month.