SOLDIERS from the 3rd (UK) Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps of Signals (3 DSR) marked the end of a successful and challenging six-month deployment to Afghanistan with an operational medals parade at Picton Barracks, Bulford, last week.

Despite the freezing temperature, there was standing room only as families and friends watched the medals being presented, with music provided throughout by The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.

The medals were presented by the Master of Signals, Lieutenant General Robert Baxter to the 304 soldiers.

The summer of 2013 was challenging for the officers and soldiers of 3 DSR, with almost half the regiment deployed to Afghanistan during April and May.

Their responsibilities were to provide communications from Kabul to Kandahar and into Central Helmand, supporting radio equipment carried by soldiers to satellites enabling communication back to the UK.

The regiment also supported the closure or transfer to Afghan forces of a number of tactical bases in Central Helmand and led the construction of a new headquarters in Camp Bastion for Task Force Helmand.

The move was seen as the biggest and most complex move of a British military headquarters since the Second World War.

Commanding officer Lt Col Paul Griffiths said of the day: “I am proud of everything they have done.

“They were magnificent on parade and they should feel rightly proud of what they have achieved over the last six months.”