Having been widely praised for taking the fight to the enemy, the Battalion, known as the Vikings, lost nine members in Helmand with another 57 wounded, a sacrifice recognised today by the people of Bury St Edmunds.
Crowds lined the streets, up to ten deep in places, with the Minden band playing and bunting and balloons everywhere as the Battalion paraded to applause and cheers of '"well done boys".
Soldiers and officers past and present also turned out for the event, responding to a rare Regimental Call to Arms put out by the Regimental HQ asking anyone who serves or who has served in the Regiment to "stand in the street and welcome our soldiers home." Many have travelled hundreds of miles, with some even coming from overseas to be here.
Royal Anglian Lieutenant Colonel Seymour Blyth, currently posted to MOD in London was one of those officers who had no doubt he had to attend the event in Bury today:
"It's been just and outstanding day," he said. "The turnout is just staggering, with crowds everywhere. The East Anglians really do appreciate their Regiment, it's absolutely magnificent.
"It was very poignant when the band played the Last Post for the nine who died in Helmand and with the colours flying it was very moving to see so many people who really care for their Regiment."
Past Generals and Colonels of the Regiment also welcomed the 500 strong Battalion back home in Bury today, as well as the Lord Lieutenant who was representing the Queen, the Mayor of the town and the Colonel of the Regiment, General John McColl who is NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Today's Parade follows a homecoming event in Norwich yesterday which saw the Battalion exercise their freedom of the city, marching from the City Hall to Norwich Cathedral where a Thanksgiving and Remembrance service was held for those that didn't come home from Helmand.
The Battalion arrived in Norwich after travelling on the 'Royal Anglian Regiment' train from London's Liverpool Street. National Express named the train in recognition of the Regiment and Lance Corporal Simon Mercer unveiled the name plate on behalf of the Regiment at Liverpool Street station.
The Lord Mayor of Norwich, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester inspected the troops before they marched through the city's streets where they were greeted by thousands of people. With bayonets fixed, flags flying and drums beating the Battalion brought Norwich to a standstill.
The Viking's deployment to Helmand has been described as supremely successful. They pushed the enemy from afghan heartlands, allowing much needed reconstruction and development to take place in the town of Sangin, including irrigation work, repairing electricity transformers, clearing bomb damage, constructing wells and the opening of schools and medical clinics.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver said: "We thank our families, friends and the wider public for their support during what has been a testing tour. To put it into context, each soldier and officer was probably involved in around 40 significant engagements with the enemy."
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