An Army battalion which lost five of its members during a "punishing" deployment in Afghanistan has been welcomed home in a tearful homecoming.
A total of 120 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards returned to their base in Aldershot, Hampshire, following a six-month operational tour in Afghanistan.
During the deployment five members of the battalion were killed along with two other members of the wider battle group attached to it.
An Army spokesman said: "The majority of those returning are from 1 Company that saw some of the fiercest action during the operation."
Battalion adjutant Captain Jamie Russell, 29, said the homecoming was "tinged with sadness" because of the casualties.
He said: "It's obviously a huge relief to arrive home and for the families here it's as much a relief to see their loved ones come home.
"I am sure there is a lump in the back of the throat and a few tears of happiness for the families here.
"However there is a tinge of sadness that some haven't come home and they will not be getting off the coaches with us."
Sergeant Matt Nichol, 30, said he was delighted to meet up with his fiancee, Sgt Cara Storey, 31, who serves in the Army's dental corps.
He said they had become engaged on New Year's Eve when he was on leave following the death of his friend Acting Sgt John Amer, 30, who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) on November 30 last year.
