HUNDREDS of Plymouth troops marched through Exeter today in a homecoming parade tinged with sadness after the news of more deaths in Afghanistan.

The streets were lined by thousands of people, applauding and waving the Union flag, to pay tribute to the servicemen and women recently returned from Operation Herrick 9.

Members of 13 army, marine and navy units took part in the march, the first of its kind for all the units who took part in the six month tour in Helmand province.

The Duke of Edinburgh and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth also attended.

Yesterday the Ministry of Defence announced the deaths of Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Trooper Joshua Hammond.

They were killed near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on Wednesday.

The parade went along Exeter’s High Street and past the Guildhall where the Duke took the salute.

The units then marched to the cathedral where a service of thanksgiving and remembrance was held.

While 1,600 troops and their families along with dignitaries sat inside the cathedral, at least a thousand more people stood in Cathedral Square where a large screen showed the service.

It included accounts of the tour by troops and a montage of pictures from the operation.

A roll of honour of the names of the 37 troops who lost their lives during the operation was read out before candles were lit and placed at the altar.

The commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Gordon Messenger, praised the teamwork and bond between comrades.

Before the service, he said: “It was a hugely challenging tour for everyone, often in dangerous and austere circumstances under pressure to make the right judgments.

“The biggest progress was made in developing the capabilities of the Afghans to govern themselves and provide their own security.

“We can also predict that there has been decline in poppy cultivation, which is a lot to do with the initiative of wheat distribution as an alternative.

“Individually and collectively today is hugely important. It signifies a coming together of all companies in the Helmand deployment, and the families whose support is vital, as well as the British public.

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There is so much support amongst the public for those that are risking their lives in foreign countries.”