SIDE BY SIDE they stood in silence as their efforts and achievements during the past seven months were honoured.

Together as a complete battlegroup for the first time since they left war-torn Iraq, the First Battalion Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, and their colleagues from the Queen's Royal Hussars gathered to formally mark and celebrate a successful tour of duty.

It was an afternoon all about the Tigers - and those who had joined them, including TA soldiers called up to serve this month before being deployed.

Proud wives and children gathered to watch the Battalion Day medal parade - huddled under umbrellas, to shelter from the pouring rain which greeted them on their return from a climate of well over 50 degrees.

But in true military style not even the weather could bring a halt to proceedings and more than 500 soldiers dutifully marched from their barracks to assemble for the event.

Praise Flanked by his officers and deputies the commanding officer of 1PWRR, who back in April this year led the troops back to Iraq, was today there to praise them.

Handing out more than 160 medals wrapped in small white boxes he spoke to and shook hands with every soldier who was receiving the honour for completing their first Op Telic tour in Iraq. Many more senior squaddies who were with the battalion on their previous trip to the war zone back in 2003 looked on.

Among those to be given his first medal was one soldier who had to be flown home early after being shot in the face by insurgents. After months spent recovering he had returned to the barracks in Paderborn, Germany, which is now home of the Tigers.

It was also a moment for thanks that each and every member of the battlegroup had returned alive - and remembrance for others within their brigade who did not.

The Tigers Padre, Steve Forster, also led prayers for those who remain in Iraq among the bloodshed that has already cost so many lives.

Prayers The quiet was eventually broken when the Fijian members of 1PWRR gathered to sing as a choir. Moments later the entire battalion sang the hymn Jerusalem together before they formally marched one behind the other from the parade site.

Shivering and soaked there was time to gather with families and children for hot drinks and the chance to dry out before the battlegroup was assembled once again, for the last time, for a special address by their commanding officer.

In a cinema on site at the battalion's home, called Barker Barracks, the commanding officer, who cannot be identified for security reasons, told the soldiers how proud he was.

Saying that it wasn't a word he would use lightly he told the battlegroup collectively that they had been "outstanding" throughout their time in Iraq.

Praising Before praising each of the squadrons and companies and recapping some of the more memorable moments and operations, he told his audience how he had visited the brigade general who had spoken of the Tigers with the highest regard.

Speaking about the conversations with one of British Forces' most senior officers the commanding officer said he had been "awe-struck" by the way he watched them operate.

The commanding officer said others had not wanted the Tigers to finish their tour and therefore their return to Germany because they knew they were in "safe hands".

Thanking everyone for their work and asking them each to look out for each other as they tried to re-adjust to normality he said 1PWRR had been everything that he had asked them to be before they were deployed - robust, humble and professional.