The county regiment remained until it was amalgamated with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in 1960, with its soldiers fighting in major conflicts, including both world wars.

The parade, in which current soldiers from C (Northamptonshire) Company, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment also took part, had a dual purpose in marking both the anniversary and additionally, the final march of the Northamptonshire branch of the regiment association before it was disbanded because of the dwindling number of veterans.

Following the parade, the regiment association marched off for the final time, before a civic reception was held at the Guildhall, followed by the final annual dinner in the evening and then a church service at Holy Sepulchre yesterday.

Royal Anglian veteran Paul Kelly, aged 62, of Great Billing, Northampton, represented his father Maj Ted Kelly, who died in April.

He said: "This would have meant everything to him. It was an emotional occasion."

Chelsea Pensioner Shack Shailes, aged 76, joined the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1948. He said: "When we went to Korea we marched through Northampton and I've never seen anything like this. It was a brilliant turnout."

Mr Shailes' former colleague Bill Mundy, who did national service in the Northamptonshire Regiment in the 1950s, said Saturday was a sad day but a good day.

Mr Mundy, aged 74, from Duston, Northampton, added: "Looking back on my time in the regiment I really enjoyed it."

Joe Heffernan, of Kingsthorpe, a member of the Royal Anglian Regiment until 1987, said: "It was wonderful to see everyone so full of pride, it was a wonderful day."