The citation was announced in the Australia Day honours list this year, and was formally presented at the Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Victoria last week (September 22).

Although the Force Communications Unit now no longer exists, Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove presented the Meritorious Unit Citation Warrant and Citation Insignia to the two contingent commanders, Brigadier Stephen Ayling, AM (Retd) and Colonel Martin Studdert, AM (Retd); along with their respective Regiment Sergeant Majors, Warrant Officer Class One Barry Martin, OAM (Retd) and Warrant Officer Class One Jeffrey Yates, OAM (Retd).

The Force Communications Unit (FCU) was deployed as Australia's main contribution to the United Nations Transitional Authority (UNTAC) under Operation Gemini between March 1992 and October 1993.

As a member of the former unit, Mr Toohey received a copy of the citation and the insignia which he has been invited to "wear ... with pride in the knowledge that your service has brought great credit upon yourself and the Australian Defence Force."

The Force Communications Unit was working as part of UNTAC in Cambodia, from March 15, 1992 until October 7, 1993.

The unit was staffed by both Australian and New Zealand defence force personnel and was initially tasked with providing communications between the UN authority, the Cambodian Supreme National Council and the military headquarters of the four political factions in Cambodia at the time.

The task expanded to include the installation of an extensive communications network linking 21 provinces of Cambodia with the seat of government in Phnom Penh.

The preparations were for what turned out to be a successfully conducted election.

The "exceptionally difficult and hazardous" conditions under which the unit worked, while still completing the project to a tight timeframe, earned the unit the citation, for its "sustained outstanding service in warlike operations".

Mr Toohey said the recognition for the unit had been a long time coming, through several changes of terminology and governments, as well as the issuing and subsequent upgrading of various service medals.

When the citation was originally mooted in 1993 the operation was classed as a 'non-warlike' operation and therefore not eligible for the citation.

However in 1996 the conditions of service for the operation were reviewed and reclassed as warlike service.

Since 2000 and over several federal governments, the nomination was extensively researched and a nominal roll compiled, before the Meritorious Unit Citation was formally announced this year.

Mr Toohey joined the Australian Army in 1979 and was sent to work with the FCU in Cambodia in 1993.

He is urging anyone who may know of anyone eligible for the citation (living or deceased) to enquire by writing to the MUC for FCU Cambodia, R1-3-A051, PO Box 7901, Canberra BC ACT 2601, or by sending an email to army.ceremonial @defence.gov.au