The marketplace was packed as hundreds of people offered their support to the Second Battalion on Monday morning.

Mayor councillor Eillen Knight was joined by councillors in giving a warm welcome to "our local regiment" and recognised the "close association between the borough and the regiment."

Councillors voted unanimously to grant Freedom of the Borough to the regiment who were formerly known as the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters (Woofers).

She told the assembled soldiers: "May I on behalf of all residents of the borough express our admiration and our thanks to every one of you.

"Our thoughts go to your friends and colleagues who had to make the ultimate sacrifice."

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton gave the Mayor a new regimental history and the Mercian's flag - which was raised above the Town Hall.

He said: "The warmth of our reception here today has been quite wonderful. The Lord Mayor is absolutely right that the links between Erewash and the Sherwood Foresters go back many hundreds of years."

Special mention was made of Private Brian Tunnicliffe from Ilkeston, who was killed alongside Sgt Phillip Newman in a road accident in southern Afghanistan.

Private Tunnicliffe was one of nine soldiers killed since the Mercian Regiment was formed in September last year with the merger of the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, the Staffordshire Regiment and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters.

Lieutenant Colonel Banton drew the crowd's attention to the many plaques in the marketplace which commemorate the sacrifice of other local soldiers in other wars.

He said: "It seems remarkable that only three months ago the battalion was deployed in Afghanistan.

"These men are magnificent advertisments for their generation and I thank them for allowing me to serve with them. We are mindful that these honours should have been won at some cost."

Eleven soldiers from the 2nd Battalion were among over 180 servicemen and women, to be honoured by HM The Queen for their courage and professionalism for operations around the world.

Sergeant Daniel Fitzgerald from Ilkeston received a Mention in Despatches - along with Second Lieutenant Rupert Bowers, TA soldier Lieutenant Arron Browne, Sergeant Matthew Jackson and Major Jamie Nowell.

The Mention in Despatches is the oldest form of recognition of gallantry within the UK Armed Forces. Since 1993, the Mention in Despatches has been reserved for gallantry during active operations.

Amongst the others honoured were Captain Simon Cupples and Private Darren Willmott who received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The CGC is awarded "in recognition of an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy."

The Military Cross, one of the highest awards for exemplary gallantry against the enemy on land, was awarded to five soldiers from the Battalion: Private Luke Cole, Private Aaron Holmes, WO1 Gavin Kimberlin and Corporal Michael Lockett. Sergeant Craig Brelsford.

is awarded the Military Cross posthumously for his actions on the 8th September, 2007.

The 2nd Battalion served in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick from March to October, 2007.

A spokesperson for the British Army said: "The Battalion had an extremely testing time being widely dispersed in the vanguard of the Brigade's operations throughout Helmand.

"They were instrumental in establishing local governance in Gereshk and provided an environment where the local population were able to return to their homes and establish a bustling market town.

"They were also involved in intense combat in the formidable "Green Zone" establishing a dominant position, which reduced the enemy to mounting indirect attacks."

Private Cameron Jowett, 22, who comes from Ilkeston, said: "It has been a brilliant turnout. We have been back three months and it's definitely nice to be back.

"It was tough in Afghanistan but your mates get you through it. That's what kept you going. It's just a shame we couldn't bring them all back."

Sylvia Andrews, from Ilkeston, said of the ceremony: "I think it has been a splendid morning and I'm glad to see so many children here.
"Everybody has turned out in support for them and Ilkeston has done them proud."

Alan Derbyshire, a veteran of the regiment whose son is currently serving with the Mercians, said: "Absolutely brilliant. We are very proud of them all. It was an honour to be here and stand with them."

Councillor Robert Parkinson said: "It was a great turnout from the townsfolk. I think all of the regiments deserve a good welcome home after what they have been through and what they will presumably be going through again."