A proud Dartmouth was this week celebrating with the town's soldier hero Cayle Royce after the injured veteran completed a gruelling 3,000-mile Atlantic rowing challenge.

Cayle and the rest of the four-man Row2Recovery crew, who spent 48 days, nine hours and 13 minutes battling their way across the ocean, finally crossed the finish line in the rowing race at around 11pm on Tuesday.

To get there they spent Christmas and New Year on board their eight metre open rowing boat, faced violent storms, house-high waves, a terrifying capsize and even sharks before finally rowing in to the Nelson Dockyard at English Harbour on Antigua.

The whole of the 27-year-old Dartmouth soldier's home town has thrown its support behind the battling all-military team since they set off from the Canary Islands.

The crew rowed home in third place in a 14-strong line-up of competing crews – just a few hours behind the four-strong team in second place.

After crossing the finish line Cayle blogged: 'If you had told us beforehand that we had a good chance of finishing in the top three I would have been sceptical. But here we are. We are all soldiers and we all always set out to do our best, we just didn't really know it would be this good. It is amazing achievement and we are all so proud – not bad for a couple of 'hop-a-trots', a ginger beard and physio.'

Congratulations started coming in from around the country as the news that Cayle along with Cpl Scott Blaney of the Grenadier Guards, who lost a leg in Afghanistan; Cpt Mark Jenkins, a physiotherapy officer with the Royal Army Medical Corps; and team leader Cpt James Kyall, who served with Cayle in the Light Dragoons reconnaissance force in Afghanistan, had completed the race.

Before the crew set out, they were given a royal send off with a personal video chat and message from Prince Harry.

And even as the team approached the Antigua finish line they received a message of support from General Peter Wall, the Chief of the General Staff and head of the Army: 'This is the most stunning example of courage, grit and determination that the Army has seen for a long time.'

Cayle's mum Bronwyn has been in Antigua since Saturday to greet Cayle as he reached the Caribbean Island.

She said: 'It is so very exciting. We are so proud of Cayle and what he has done. He looks fantastic. He looks so strong.'

Cayle is now due to fly home with Mrs Royce on Tuesday.

Back in Cayle's home town, mayor Paul Allen said: 'It's absolutely wonderful. This town has a history of people who have done marvellous achievements and this is another example. The town is very, very proud.'

Dartmouth district councillor Hilary Bastone, who was in the Canary Islands to see Cayle and the Row2Recovery crew off at the start of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic rowing challenge, said: 'This is a fantastic achievement for a crew which has battled adversities – not only at sea but in their own lives.

'When I saw them row out of San Sebastian de La Gomera there was an air of confidence within the crew that they were going to make it across the Atlantic.

'Within just a few days they were faced with violent storms and 30ft waves but they came through despite some equipment failures. Dartmouth is extremely proud of Cayle and the Row2Recovery crew.'

At the Dolphin Inn, landlord John Pope and regulars were able to speak to Cayle face-to-face via iPhone links within minutes of him making it ashore on Tuesday night. Mr Pope said: 'He was cool, his normal self. Cayle doesn't get very excited over many things. He was looking very tired though.

'We put on some reggae music and drank a few rum punches to him.'

Mr Pope said that his whole pub had been following Cayle's progress since the start of the ocean challenge and added: ' I think at least half the town has been doing the same.'

He said the pub was planning a home-coming celebration for Cayle some time over the next week or so.

Dartmouth MP Dr Sarah Wollaston also joined in the congratulations, as she messaged the crew via Twitter: 'Congratulations on your incredible achievement.'

Adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle also tweeted, saying: 'Congratulations to Row2Recovery on their incredible inspiring efforts. Drinks on me when you return.'