AMID a day of fanfare and celebration, it was a poignant moment to remember those who did not come home.

Under the hallowed roof of the historic Romsey Abbey, civic dignitaries and veterans joined the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment for a service of thanks.

Bishop of Southampton the Rt Rev Paul Butler spoke of how everyone goes through life carrying images they wished never to have seen, but soldiers hold pictures in their minds that are hard if not impossible to imagine.

He told them: “I salute and honour your courage, your bravery and your sheer guts to serve in the way that you do. You pay a deep commitment and so do your families and for that we thank you.”

The most sombre moment came when three candles were lit in memory of three colleagues – Private Chris Rayment, Private Lee O’Callaghan and Private Ryan Wrathall – who did not return home.

Filing out into the bright sunshine before crowds of flag-waving youngsters from Romsey School, the mood lifted as wellwishers turned out in force to welcome them.

More than 4,000 people are predicted to have packed into the streets of Romsey, lining every inch of pavement and packing on to the roads to wave and cheer on their soldiers.

At the Market Place people clambered to rooftops and hung out of windows of buildings adorned with flags and bunting to get a good view.

Not content with one “three cheers for the boys” from mayor John Ray – who told the soldiers it had been the highlight of his mayoral year – one proud member of the crowd bellowed out for more and they started again.

Presenting the town with an ornamental tiger, Major General Balfour, who hails from the New Forest, said: “It’s great to be home – it certainly feels like home.”

Speaking later, MP Sandra Gidley said: “It’s just brilliant to see people of all ages turning out to support them. We heard the troops were looking forward to coming here, as all the bunting was up, and I think we have given them a welcome home to be proud of. It’s really important to the people of Romsey who wanted the chance to say thank you.”

Town clerk Judith Giles, who co-ordinated the day, added: “It’s been a fantastic day for Romsey, where the people are very passionate about supporting our troops.

“It’s been three months in the planning and everyone has really got on board.

“I think the turnout is higher than it was for the Queen which gives a true idea of the feeling for these soldiers.”