PRIDE filled the streets of York as thousands of people gathered to give our troops a hero’s welcome from their tours in Iraq and Kosovo.

More than 130 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment paraded through York this morning to celebrate their homecoming from overseas operations.

They were greeted with cheers and claps from members of the public, who lined the streets of York to watch the spectacle.

Young children waved Union Jacks as the soldiers marched through the city to the music of the Band of the King’s Division.

The Yorkshire Regiment’s mascots – two ferrets called Quebec and Imphal – had even travelled from the regiment’s barracks in Münster, Germany, to join in the celebrations.

The battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Price, from Pocklington, said: “It’s fantastic that we brought everyone back safe and sound and it’s just great to be here in the regiment’s spiritual home of York.

“It’s remarkable that so many people should turn out to watch the boys and show their appreciation – we shouldn’t underestimate how that makes the soldiers feel.”

Among the soldiers taking part in the homecoming parade were riflemen Private Chris McIntyre, 22, from Wheldrake, and Private Miles Smith, 22, from Tang Hall, in York.

Private Smith has recently returned from a six-month operational tour of Iraq, where his role was to work alongside the Iraqi Army in Basra, mentoring and training them.

“It was different to what I thought it would be like,” said Private Smith. “The lads who went there before did a lot of fighting, but luckily we didn’t see that. “Instead we spent a lot of time having tea with the locals and playing football against the Iraqi Army. It’s a strange but amazing country.”

Meanwhile, Chris has recently returned from a six-month operational tour of Kosovo in the Balkans.

“This was my first operational tour and I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Chris.

“I really enjoyed getting to go out and meet the locals – we also got to work alongside other armies and that was definitely an eye-opener.”

During the parade, the soldiers marched past the Mansion House, where the salute was taken by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun John Galvin, who visited the troops in Münster last week to present them with their operational medals.

Before the parade started, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Price heard the Oaths of Allegiance made by York’s latest Army recruits – Luke Toppham, 19, Jack Reed, 20, and Lee Todkill, 21.

While Jack and Luke are former pupils of Joseph Rowntree School, Lee is a former pupil of Selby High School.

The ceremony took place at the Regimental Headquarters of The Yorkshire Regiment, in Tower Street.

“It’s a real privilege to be enlisting on the same day as the Freedom Parade and it will be a day I’ll always remember,” said Jack.

“I’m proud to be joining The Yorkshire Regiment as they encourage pride in the region and the work they do. One day I hope I can go on to demonstrate the courage that some of the soldiers marching during the parade have.”