A SOLEMN roll of the names of 37 fallen soldiers was at the heart of the emotional annual Back Badge Service at Gloucester Cathedral.

The stark list of members of The Rifles regiment lost in war during the last year sent a chill through the congregation of former and serving army personnel, their families and civic guests, despite the warmth of the sunshine outside.

The ranks and names of the dead were announced yesterday by Colonel Stephen Oxlade, executive chairman of the Glorious Glosters' successor regiment, the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, which in 2007 was in turn absorbed by The Rifles.

A moving minute's silence then followed the "Last Post", played by the Corps of Drums of the Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force, before "Reveille" sounded.

At least one old solider wiped away a tear as the remembrance that followed was led by the Rev Steve Parselle, a former chaplain of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment.

The yearly service prayed too for those facing danger on current army operational tours around the world.

It also commemorated the 209th anniversary of the Battle of Alexandria in Egypt in 1801.

The bravery of the Glosters' rear rank earned them the regiment the right to wear its sphinx "back badge" to this day.

After the service a parade, led by a cadets' band, marched from the cathedral, past the police station and back up past Shire Hall where the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Henry Elwes, was among dignitaries who took the salute.