On Saturday 20 April The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers celebrated St George’s Day, their Regimental day and birthday, as they paraded around Ashington town centre.
St George died in AD 303 and has long been regarded as a military saint, known as the ‘patron of soldiers’. St George is known all around the world for his courage as he is commonly associated with the slaying of a fearsome dragon. As a result, his importance to English soldiers has been ever present, soldiers have famously sought his protection as they head to battlegrounds for thousands of years.
Being from Ashington and parading in Ashington with family and friends watching was special." Fusilier Cabunoc, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
The Fusiliers have a special affiliation with the patron saint, they were formed on 23 April 1968, the same day St George heroically died fighting for his cause nearly 2,000 years earlier. As a result, The Fusiliers proudly wear St George slaying the dragon on their cap badge, signifying their admiration for the courage St George displayed years prior to their formation.
This year the Fifth Fusiliers honoured St George with a church service at The Holy Sepulchre Church, Ashington, conducted by Retired Padre Chris Groocock. Followed by a crowd-pleasing parade, which more than 200 past, present and future Fusiliers marched the one kilometer route with pride as they celebrated the life of their Patron Saint.
The parade was reviewed by The Honorary Colonel, Lord James Percy, Colonel of The Regiment, Major General Jonathan Swift, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, Caroline Pryer, signifying the importance of St George’s Day to The Fusiliers.
Many Fusiliers marching on the parade are residents of Ashington town, so to get the opportunity to march with their comrades, in their hometown, on their regimental day and celebrate St George was special.
Marching on our Regimental day and our patron saint’s day is important to me and to all of us.” Colour Sergeant Hyman, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Among the Fusiliers marching was Fusilier Cabunoc, a proud Ashington resident and medic in Fifth Fusiliers Z company. He said: “Being from Ashington and parading in Ashington with family and friends watching was special. I’m proud to be British and march on the St George’s parade, especially as we are a proud English Regiment, it’s a proud day to be English.”
Also on the parade was Colour Sergeant Hyman, he said: “I’m proud to be a British Soldier and an English Fusilier. Being an Ashington lad marching in Ashington makes it even more special. Marching on our Regimental day and our patron saint’s day is important to me and to all of us.”
