Town welcomes returning regiment

The first of eight parades by the Tigers was held in Worthing on Saturday

The battalion has completed operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan

A parade welcoming back soldiers who have been serving in Afghanistan and Iraq has taken place in Surrey.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, also known as The Armoured Tigers, marched through Guildford town centre.

The Mayor of Guildford then hosted a reception at Holy Trinity Church for the troops, veterans and cadets.

The parade came in a month that has seen the highest number of casualties of soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Tour medals

The salute was taken at Tunsgate Arch by Col Patrick Crowley, the Vice-Lord Lieutenant Gordon Lee-Steere DL, and the mayor, Councillor Pauline Searle.

Two soldiers were also presented with medals by the mayor during the parade.

Private Bill Maguire, 18, from Guildford, who has served with the battalion for two years, was awarded an operational tour medal for service in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Kyle Denham, 22, from Portsmouth, was awarded an operational tour medal for service in Afghanistan following six years service with the battalion.

The battalion was given the Freedom of the Borough in 1992.

Eight parades

On Saturday, the first of eight parades by the Tigers was held in Worthing West Sussex.

Parades also took place in Portsmouth on Monday, and in Southampton and Romsey, Hampshire, on Tuesday.

The battalion will march through Lewes, in East Sussex, on Thursday, and in Kent, in Tunbridge Wells on Friday, and Canterbury on Saturday.

The soldiers recently returned to the UK from their base in Paderborn, Germany.