With the weather bringing the occasional downpour, it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of thousands of local Tunbridge Wells residents who turned out to welcome the soldiers back home today from overseas operations.

The parade was to mark the return of the First Battalion of The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment – “The Tigers” - from active service in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a special home-coming welcome.

Also to celebrate the battalions home-coming were the local Weald Association branch of the PWRR. The Regimental Association of The Queen's Own Buffs is now 1, 500 strong and is the forerunner of the PWRR.

It was formed from the Buffs and the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, who recruited locally and whose Territorial Battalion had a drill hall in St John's Road, which is now used by the local Royal Engineer's bomb disposal Territorial Army unit.

In attendance were town Mayor, Cllr Leonard Price and Mayoress Victoria Price, and High Ranking British Army officers, the County Colonel for Kent, Lieutenant Colonel John Powell, Civic Dignitaries, specially invited guests and Tunbridge Wells Councillors and officials, who were present to show their admiration for those returning from active duty.

From a distance one could hear the PWRR Military Army Band approaching, the sound of a marching tune echoed from street to street as thousands of people all along the route jostled to get a good view of “The Tigers” now beginning their march into Crescent Road, by the Assembly Hall, led by their military band, there to be met and duly Honoured by the town Mayor and Mayoress.

As they came to attention the crowds were ecstatic, union jack flags were waved by the hundreds all along Crescent Road, the crowds of onlookers shouted and cheered those of the 1 PWRR now standing to attention, awaiting the speech by the Tunbridge Wells Mayor, Cllr Leonard Price.

The Town Mayor gave his own excellent speech to the battalion, then commenced his inspection of the troops, he shook hands with many of those on parade and chatted to them, his delight at this remarkable assembly of soldiers before him was clearly seen by his smile of admiration for them all.

Mayor Cllr Leonard Price, then made an admirable presentation and awarded medals to Private Andrew Neil a local boy from Tunbridge Wells, and to Private Alex Chapman, who both in turn accepted the award with great pride, followed by their gratitude of acceptance by saluting the Mayor.

A speech was then given by Brigadier S.F. Deakin, followed by a the Mayor's own personal reply, and his thanks to the battalion of the 1 PWRR, that now stood before him.

The many hundreds of onlookers in Crescent Road applauded the Mayor and the troops “The Tigers” with great pleasure, delight and pride, as the ceremony and home-coming reached its final stages.

The troops came to attention, heralded by the bands stirring marching tune, they were ordered to march and began their parade from Crescent Road, through the streets of the town to a tumultuous welcome from the crowds of people waving flags and cheering their “own” troops, as they marched past.

Many people from shops, offices, cafe's and restaurants rushed out to cheer, those in office blocks towering above the parading soldiers cheered and waved union jacks, and those who lined the route whistled, waved and shouted, they all gave the soldiers the “home-coming” in Tunbridge Wells, they certainly all deserved...”Welcome Home”... “The Tigers”