Fusiliers honour heritage with St George's Day parade through regimental heartland

Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers have celebrated St George's Day with a special church service and parade through the streets of Ashington.

Marching in solidarity, soldiers from 5th Fusiliers were joined by veterans and cadets as they paraded to the sound of welcoming applause from the public.

The regiment has strong ties to the Newcastle area with its reserve battalion, 5 Fusiliers, based at Anzio House in the city.

• First Fusiliers enjoy celebrating an early St George's Day
• Honouring St George: British military celebrates England's patron saint
• First Fusiliers train in Germany ahead of Nato battlegroup lead in Estonia

The parade marked the 56th anniversary of the regiment, which was formed in its current state on St George's Day in 1968.

However, the history of the 5th Fusiliers dates back much further, with Northumberland Fusiliers having been formed 350 years ago.

"This year's parade is of particular significance as we celebrate a major milestone in the history of the Fusiliers in one of our regimental heartlands, Ashington," said Lieutenant Colonel John Gammon, the OC of 5th Fusiliers.

Many Northumberland Fusiliers were recruited in Ashington, where recruitment continues to this day, making the town a fitting host for this year's parade.

"Not only are we celebrating St George's Day, but we are also marking the 350th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, one of our antecedent regiments," Lt Col Gammon explained.

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers passed down many of its traditions to the current regiment including a part of its distinctive regimental dress, the hackle, that is worn by all ranks.

The distinctive red and white hackle was awarded in recognition of the defeat of the French at the Battle of St Lucia in 1778.

Legend has it that the white hackles, initially taken from fallen French soldiers by the Fusiliers, were reputedly dipped in their blood, a tale steeped in regimental folklore.

In 1829, King William IV decreed that all line infantry regiments were to wear the white plume.

However, to preserve the honour of the Fifth (Northumberland) Regiment of Foot, their plume was uniquely adorned with a red tip, distinguishing it as red over white, a distinction that endures to this day.

Apart from the 5th Fusiliers Reserve Battalion based in Newcastle, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers includes 1st Fusiliers, which is based in Tidworth, with the regimental HQ at the Tower of London.