Royal Marine bandsmen and women who provided vital medical back-up on the RFA Argus during the war in Iraq have returned home after three months at sea.

Captain Nick Grace, director of music, said the sights, sounds and smells of war would remain with them for years to come.

He paid tribute to the 38 "exceptional men and women" whose outstanding military and musical performances had been "powerful, emotional and effective".

The Argus is the only British hospital ship in the Gulf. It is equipped with top-flight facilities and personnel, including two operating theatres.

During war, Royal Marine musicians double as stretcher bearers and casualty handlers. They joined the Argus to support the medical staff and crew.

Capt Grace said the outstanding memory of his three months on the Argus was the night two Chinook helicopters landed on deck in the middle of a storm.

He said: "Weeks of effective training proved their worth as all casualties were transferred to the casualty facility quickly.

"On a daily basis I got nothing but praise and appreciation from the medical staff for the way members of the band helped."

The musicians also carried out minewatching duties, manned the medical communication network and carried out the vital but thankless task of disposing of clinical waste.

During the war, the Argus received 67 casualties of all nationalities, including pregnant women and children.

Capt Grace said going to war was an enlightening experience.

He said: "There were a great deal of new skills to learn, physical fitness to be improved, team spirit to be built and we had to prepare for the unknown.

"These were all achieved in an exemplary manner."

He said the musical highlights of their time in the Gulf were the morale-boosting showcase concerts performed on HMS Ocean, HMS Ark Royal, RFA Rosalie and the Argus.

He said: "There is no greater example of the effectiveness and value of military music in today's armed forces, particularly afloat, pre-paring for war."

The band's final performance was Beating The Retreat on the flight deck of the Argus to all those they had worked with for the previous three months.

Captain Grace said: "The performance was spectacular, the setting mystical and the appreciation wholehearted.

"It has been a privilege to work with professional medical staff from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force where we have forged new friendships.

Members of the band are now on leave and will return to their respective bands later this month.

The Argus is still in the Gulf but has been stood down from active service. She is expected to return to Britain in early June.

She will then resume her role as a training ship for Royal Navy helicopter pilots.