THEY came because they felt they had to, not because they wanted to.

Yesterday, 700 people – about 200 more than the previous week – lined Norton Way in Carterton and watched with sadness and respect as four hearses slipped past, carrying the bodies of Lance Corporal Peter Eustace, Lieutenant David Boyce, Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon and Private Thomas Lake in the largest repatriation ceremony Oxfordshire has yet seen.

There is always sadness, yet many of the mourners said they felt compelled to attend the memorial garden – feeling the same emotion they do whether it is one fallen soldier or four.

As is becoming the nature, all 700 stood silently as the families of the fallen stepped forward to throw flowers on to the hearses, before breaking out in sympathetic applause as the cortege moved off towards its destination of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Joanne Bonner, from Edgeworth Drive in Carterton, said: “We have to come to pay our respects to these soldiers who are coming home.

“It’s particularly emotional today, although no more so than if it were just one.”

Sergeant Major Bryn Knowles, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, added: “The loss of any soldier is tragic. But it is really heartbreaking to see four coming through here at the same time.

“It is very encouraging to see so many people and very humbling as well because these people have taken a day off work to pay their respects.”

Lynn Shuker, RAF Brize Norton’s family liaison officer, said: “The families have been overwhelmed by the support for them that has been shown here.

“Every individual death is a tragedy but to see four just multiplies it.”

Oxfordshire County Council chairman Patrick Greene said: “When we dedicated the memorial garden we hoped there wouldn’t be any more repatriations so it is shocking to see four coming through at once.

“Whoever falls for the country should be shown respect.”

Major David Glen, of 1st Battalion The Queen’s Dragoon Guards which lost Lt Boyce and L Cpl Richard Scanlon, said: “Their deaths have a great effect on us.

“We all know the soldiers well.

“The job they are doing out there is important and they have to make the place safe and it is fantastic to see so many people here.”

L Cpl Eustace, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles (2 Rifles) was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan nine days ago. Lt Boyce and L Cpl Scanlon died a day later – after less than a month serving in the country.

Pte Lake, from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, was killed on Sunday.