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Watch the parade and hear
from reporter Katie Alston at the scene.

By Katie Alston

Pride filled the streets of Canterbury, with thousands turning
out to welcome their heroes home.

The atmosphere was electric as the Princess of Wales’ Royal
Regiment paraded through their home city.

The 200 troops have completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan
and were overwhelmed by the support shown by the young and old, who
waved the Union Jack and cheered them through the historic high
street.

As they marched from Station Road West to the Dane John Gardens
many onlookers could be seen wiping tears from their eyes as they
remembered loved ones who have put their lives on the line for
their country.

The regiment has been taking part in homecoming parades across the
South East, however chose Canterbury as the destination for the 8th
and final parade, as it is the home of their regimental
headquarters and the territorial battalion.

They marched to the beat of the regiment's Kohima Band as they
headed to the drum head service held in the Dane John Gardens. The
crowds were the biggest the Battalion has seen throughout their
freedom parade tour and their was again thousands present to watch
the pomp and ceremony, hythms and prayers and medal presentations.
Dignitaries including Lord Mayor of Canterbury Harry Cragg and
Canterbury MP Julian Brazier watched over the proceedings which
included the inspecting officer The Colonel of the Regiment Major
General Paul Newton CBE taking the salute.

Watched by their friends and family Private Colin White, 24, from
Canterbury who has served with 1 PWRR for two years, received his
Op HERRICK medal for service in Afghanistan. Private Daniel Hudson,
19, also from Canterbury, who has served with 1 PWRR for two years,
received his Op TELIC medal for service in Iraq.

Private White returned from his six month tour at the end of
February. He said: “It has put a smile on my face and it is a good
feeling.

“I have been surprised by how many people have turned up, but this
parade is more special than any of the others as it is my home
town.

“In the past I don’t think we necessarily got the recognition we
perhaps deserve but I have definitely been proven wrong.”

Private Hudson, who returned at the end of May after six months in
Iraq added: “It was weird to be here, I have never done a parade
before and never got a medal but it was a brilliant feeling.

“When I collected it all I could hear was my family cheering. It’s
like a football match - there are thousands of people
here.

“It is nice to be supported, we are putting our lives out on the
line and it is great to see that people appreciate what we do.”

Many of the soldiers on the parade experienced the loss of a
comrade. Private Ryan Raffle was killed by a gun shot wound whilst
the Battalion was on their tour of duty in Iraq. And just an hour
before the PWRR stepped off for their first parade they heard the
news that Private John Brackpool, who was serving with the Welsh
Guards had been killed. The 28-year-old had spent four years with
the regiment and completed two tours of Iraq.

Lieutenant colonel Charlie Sykes, is the commanding officer of
the 1st Battalion PWRR and his most recent tour was to Iraq.

He said: “You don’t join the army to do drill, but the soldiers
and myself have surprised ourselves at just how much we have
enjoyed marching through the whole area.

“We deliberately wanted to finish on a high and it really did feel
like coming home, I have been astonished by the level of support at
all of the freedom parades.

“The British Army have been front page news lately because of
the very sad happenings in Afghanistan, but despite all that it is
fantastic to see the level of support for the countries soldiers as
we come home.

“Quite a lot of people I have spoken to aren’t all in favour war
but they are able to separate that to be able to support the
soldiers, and that is great for morale and makes a big
difference.

“The deaths of Raffle and Brackpool made the whole occasion, which
was originally conceived as a celebration, more of a poignant
commemoration.

“Every loss of life is an absolute tragedy and it does hit any army
unit hard. Often when you are on operation the job at hand focuses
the mind and you tend do the job with more vigour.

“But it is when you are home that you have time to consider and
reflect, that loss hits you more.”

Some of the soldiers from the 2nd battalion, who should have been
on parade, were deployed to the Helmand Province at short notice.
The majority of the regiment will however return to Germany this
weekend for two weeks. They will then have a full medal ceremony
before being granted five weeks leave.

• PWRR given a homecoming in Tunbridge Wells