Hundreds lined a street today to honour one of the highest ranking British soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan as he was repatriated.

Major Sean Birchall, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died in an explosion while on patrol near Lashkar Gah in central Helmand province on June 19.

The 33-year-old's wife Joanna said he was a "wonderful husband" and "devoted father" to 18-month-old son Charlie.

His body was flown through RAF Lyneham this morning and a private ceremony held at the base at midday before a procession three miles away through Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.

Around 700 people including British Legion veterans, shopkeepers and dignitaries held their sombre silence as they lined the high street in Wootton Bassett and lowered their heads as the man's cortege passed through.

Steve Bucknell, Mayor of Wootton Bassett, said: "We have strong links with the armed forces because RAF Lyneham is so close. The threat of it closing in 2012 makes us appreciate it even more in financial terms and also in terms of our society.

"Today another repatriation of someone who was killed in Helmand proceeds. It's a very sombre feeling."

He had a message for troops serving in Afghanistan: "Their contribution is valued. Not everyone here may agree with why they are there but that doesn't matter, we appreciate what they are doing for us.

"The way we mark the repatriations has become a tradition in Wootton Bassett.

"We always hope the current one is the last one but we will carry on doing it for as long as is necessary.

"Everyone comes for their own personal reasons, mine is to demonstrate support for our servicemen."

He added: "It's not a waste of a life, it's been a life that has been sacrificed in service of Queen and country."

Former lance sergeant James Archer, 58, who served with the 2nd Battalion Scottish Guards, said: "I'm here to honour the soldier being brought back as a mark of respect to them and their families to show they are not alone.

"It's important for the public to remember what these troops are doing, putting their lives on the line."

Standard bearers from the British Legion and Welsh Guards lowered their standards after the church bells chimed and Major Birchall's coffin, draped with a Union Jack flag, approached.

The fatal explosion, which happened as the officer led a patrol of three armoured vehicles between checkpoints in Basharan, also injured another soldier.

Major Birchall is one of two Army officers of that rank to die in Afghanistan.

The other was Major Alexis Roberts, 32, of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who was also killed by a roadside bomb in October 2007.

South African-born Maj Birchall moved back to the UK as a child and grew up in Guildford, Surrey.

He commanded IX Company of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, which was working with Afghan security forces to protect and help the people Basharan following an operation led by Maj Birchall to drive the Taliban out of the village.

Educated at St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School, Guildford, and Plymouth University, he attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in 1999.

Crowds have appeared spontaneously in Wootton to pay their respects since the bodies of British service personnel started being brought home to Lyneham in 2007.

Communities across the country will show their support for Britain's servicemen and women tomorrow as they mark the UK's first Armed Forces Day.

Maurice Baker, president of Wootton's Royal British Legion branch, said: "We started off with only a few people. It's grown to up to a thousand at times because we haven't taken over from the townsfolk.

"We have kept it just for the townsfolk and that's why people come from all around the country to pay their respects."