People came from all over East Anglia to see their friends and relatives in the regiment march through Romford.

Sheila Munroe and Ellen Sullivan got dressed up to give the troops a proper welcome. They had come to see Sheila’s son and Ellen’s nephew Robert, 24.

Sheila, from Southend-on-Sea, originally Barking, mother of Robert, 24 said: “I’m so proud of him and what he’s done. He’s been in the regiment for 18 months.

“We’re here for him and we’ll see him in Basildon too. We’ve been in touch while he’s been away but we haven’t chatted about it since he’s been back this time.

“He can always to talk to me though.”

Sandy Franks, from Witham, was there to see Pte Ryan Franks, also 24.

She said: “We were worried about him for months while he was away and are so proud now that they’re home

Ryan’s grandmother Jean Richman, from Billericay, added: “We’re proud of him and we’re proud of all of the troops, they’ve done a fantastic job.”