1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in homecoming march in Market Drayton

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment have held a homecoming march in Market Drayton, and marked the Shropshire-based battalion's return from its latest six-month tour of Afghanistan.

About 300 soldiers and officers took part in the march ths morning at 10.30am , and 100s of cheering flag waving children and adults lined Cheshire street the homecoming parades route,

Three soldiers from the battalion were killed in the tour, which began in September.
Ranger Aaron McCormick, 22, from Macosquin in County Londonderry was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in November last year.
Ranger David Dalzell, 20, from Bangor was shot in February. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been confirmed.
Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, from Banbridge, was killed by an IED in March.

Arriving at Market Drayton just before 10am the pavements was filling up fast with excited soldiers families , flag waving supports, ex- military men wearing their medals proudly , Market Drayton and surrounding areas town folk.

The turn out was excellent, to welcome home the serving soliders , the band played ahead of them, and with cheers the parade marched through the street to attend a service at St Marys .

Welcome home.