by Jo Earle

Soldiers marched through the streets of Tunbridge Wells today - to rapturous applause.

Crowds lined the streets for the homecoming parade for the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (PWRR).

It was held to mark the return of the soldiers from active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Mayor, Cllr Leonard Price, presented medals to two Kent soldiers including 22-year-old Andrew Neil from Tonbridge Wells, who was part of the last British Army convoy to cross the border from Iraq to Kuwait.

Private Alex Chapman from Canterbury, who has served with the regiment for one-and-a-half years, also received a medal at the celebrations.

The 21-year-old was awarded for his services in Afghanistan.

Captain Jay Smith is the Regimental Signals Officer and told KentOnline what the parade means to Regiment:

Captain Jay Smith, the Regimental Signals Officer

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry from the 1st PWRR, the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in more than 20 years, attended the parade supporting his fellow soldiers.

He was also due to visit the Victoria Cross Memorial at Victoria Cross Grove, Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells, where he was to be joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells.

FACTFILE:

• The first Battalion is the most decorated infantry unit in the British Army following their three tours of Iraq
• The majority of the Germany-based infantrymen have spent the past six months in Iraq concentrating their efforts on training and mentoring the Iraqi Army's 14th Division.

• Serving soldier Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry became the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in 40 years for his exceptional bravery - after his convoy was attacked in AlAmarah in 2004.
• The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 as a mark of outstanding bravery to members of the Armed Forces.
• Dunorlan Park commemorates 10 soldiers from Tunbridge Wells who have received VCs over the years
• The Victoria Cross Grove commemorates ten recipients of the Victorian Cross who had connections to the borough of Tunbridge Wells.