“It was emotionally draining but so rewarding”.

The words of grieving mother Nathalie Taylor who was joined by other families from Huddersfield to remember those who gave their lives in the Afghan conflict.

And Mrs Taylor, of New Mill, who was there to honour her son Cpl Jake Hartley, admitted the reception given to the families by vast crowds throning the London streets was overwhelming.

“We had the Royals at the service in St Paul’s Cathedral but the reception we got as the relatives of the 453 who died walked to the Guildhall was overwhelming.

“These were ordinary people who stood at the side of the road and applauded us every step of the way.

“And it was so moving seeing the injured soldiers, who face a constant battle, a constant nightmare. I chatted to them and it was so moving.

“I also met the young soldier from the Yorkshire Regiment who was among the first on the scene when Jake’s armoured car was blown up. He pulled him out from the Warrior and made a point of talking to me, as did the padre who gave Jake the Last Rites. It was so emotional for them and for me”.

Mrs Taylor said it had been an emotional few days, as March 6 saw the anniversary of the attack which claimed the life of her son, fellow Huddersfield soldiers Daniel Wilford and Anton Frampton and three other young men.

Tuesday would also have been Cpl Hartley’s birthday.

“It has been hard and emotionally draining but I felt what happened in London today showed to all the families that people care. It has finalised things three years down the line and it was so moving to get the recognition and the respect shown to us”.

Mrs Taylor was joined by other grieving Huddersfield families, including Mick and Claire Wroe from Meltham, who lost their 18-year-old son Tom in the conflict.

Mr Wroe, himself a former soldier, said: “It was a really nice, really moving service and a fitting tribute to all those who died.

“The reception we got from the public was extraordinary; they applauded us as we walked from St Paul's to the reception and there were quite a few tears”.

Margaret Charlesworth, mother of Pte Frampton, was there with daughter Gemma and they chatted to Prince Charles at the Guildhall reception.

Gemma said: “It has been a beautiful day. Neither of us ever thought there would be such a response from the public but they lined the route of the parade and applauded us all the way. It was so moving.

“We met Prince Charles who came up to shake our hands and also chatted with Prince Harry. They were really down to earth and approachable”.