The families of seven British servicemen killed in Afghanistan wept side by side as their loved ones' bodies were returned to British soil.
Hearses carrying the Union-flag draped coffins of Sergeant Steven Darbyshire, Lance Corporal Michael Taylor, and Marine Paul Warren, all of 40 Commando Royal Marines, passed through Wootton Bassett after being repatriated to nearby RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
They were followed by Lance Corporal David Ramsden, of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, Colour Sergeant Martyn Horton, Private Alex Isaac and Private Douglas Halliday, all of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment.
Thousands of mourners - soldiers, shopkeepers and well-wishers - lined the high street to pay their respects to the fallen men.
Although repatriations are a sadly frequent event in the small market town, many residents were overwhelmed by the less common sight of seven coffins passing by.
Family members placed flowers on top of the hearses, as they paused for a minute's silence next to the town's war memorial - which was covered with more floral tributes. Many relatives wore t-shirts bearing the name of their loved one. The silence was broken only by the sound of relatives weeping and the bells of St Bartholomew and All Saints Church.
Former warrant officer Rob Law, 45, served alongside Col Sgt Horton, and the soldier's father before him. Mr Law, from Basingstoke, said he was there to show his support for all the fallen men, and in particular the three members of the Mercian Regiment.
He said: "We're all here to pay respect to someone we knew. It's a very difficult day, especially for the families. But everyone is feeling it."
Mr Law, who left the Army in 2005, said Col Sgt Horton was "the soul of the party". He said: "He was young and energetic. A soldier who followed in his father's footsteps."
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Lance Corporal Mark Barber, 22, with the Household Cavalry, came with his fiancee Sam Redman, 20, from Windsor, in Berkshire, to show their support. L/Cpl Barber, who has served two tours in Afghanistan, said he knew Pte Isaac and Pte Halliday. He said: "We heard about their deaths before it was on the news. We've come here today to pay our respects."
