IT was a homecoming fit for heroes. The tears were a mixture of joy and relief for the dozens of family and friends who gathered to welcome back Hampshire soldiers from the Afghanistan frontline.

Youngsters couldn’t contain their excitement as their dads, all members of B company 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1PWRR) pulled up in coaches at their German barracks at the weekend.

Waving flags and cheering, the children were scooped up and showered with hugs and kisses by the squaddies, all in their desert kits, who had been flown home via Cyrpus where they underwent a 36-hour decompression period.

It’s been one of the toughest tours yet for the soldiers – nicknamed The Tigers – who found themselves under regular fire and bomb attacks.

The first Christmas away from home in years, they even found themselves involved in an eight-hour battle when the Taliban decided to strike that day.

In recent weeks B Company also played a crucial part in a £50m drugs bust operation that saw heroin, drug making equipment and weaponry seized in the heart of the Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province.

Despite the significant loss of life in recent months, so far those from 1PWRR have returned safely, with the remaining 40 set to return home this Friday.

Nick Charlewood, officer commanding B Company, said the soldiers had performed “exceptionally”

and they had returned home as a company with only a handful of casualties.

“The boys have done exceptionally well and it has been a real pleasure to lead them out there. At times it has been quite tough and many of the guys have had to dig deep to produce the kind of performance they did.

“They were attacked four times on Christmas Day, ruining it for them when they already faced being away from home. There were a lot of young lads for whom it was their first tour and I think they spent about eight hours that day fighting.

“It’s obviously great news that we have all returned safely, but we have taken seven casualties who suffered injuries from shrapnel wounds to being hit by RPGs who will need continuing treatment now we’re back. All in all, watching how they have dealt with situations that I don't think anyone expected, I’m very proud and quite humbled.”