Emotional scenes as British soldiers arrive back home

There were emotional scenes yesterday as battle-weary soldiers were reunited with their loved ones.

Eighty-five soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment arrived back at Europe’s largest garrison following a six-month tour of Afghanistan. Wives, mothers and children looked on as the soldiers marched on to the square at Somme Barracks at Catterick Garrison under leaden skies.

Excited youngsters waved Union flags and cheered as they patiently waited for their fathers.

But for some families the day was a poignant occasion as three men did not return with their comrades yesterday. Corporal Taniela Rogoiruwai, Lance Corporal Jordan Bancroft and Kingsman Ponipate Tagitaginimoce were killed while on operations.

When the soldiers eventually arrived – nearly two hours late after touching down at nearby Teesside Airport – they were mobbed by their loved ones.