Returning to his old school in Rathcoole, Warrant Officer Alan Somerville, Regimental Sergeant Major of 2 Royal Irish, told pupils that every soldier had "grown to be eight feet tall" as they marched through the capital.

Homecoming events were 'extremely moving'

Although 2 Royal Irish is a TA Battalion, RSM Somerville, 37, is one of a handful of full-time soldiers in the battalion and on Thursday evening was guest of honour at Newtownabbey Community High School's prize-giving evening.

RSM Somerville, who has spent two decades in the Army, told the pupils in front of him: "I was asked to speak about a 'momentous occasion' and some things spring to mind.

"During my time in the Army, I've met brigadiers, generals and many lords. I have been to Downing Street, met Tony Blair and met royalty on many occasions.

"But without a doubt, there has been nothing like the parade we just had in Belfast.

"The people of this country could not have done it any better – they did us so proud and I have to take my hat off to the people who came to welcome us home."

Alluding to the unpopularity of the Iraq war, he said that the soldiers appreciated that the public distinguished between the politicians' decision to go to war and the soldiers' obedience to those orders.

"When you have a bit of controversy across the water...