Happy Saint George’s Day!
This 23 April is roughly the 1,720th anniversary of the execution of a Roman Army Officer, George of Lydda, so condemned by Emperor Diocletian for not renouncing his religious faith. In addition to being venerated across Europe, both Eastern and Western, Saint George is the only saint depicted fighting on horseback– slaying a dragon at that.
Saint George Killing the Dragon c. 1434, Bernat Martorell
Thus he is the patron saint of Cavalrymen and now modern Tankers and Scouts, going back at least to 1917.
Great War BEF commander, Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE, a polo enthusiast who began his career as a lieutenant into the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars on 7 February 1885, slaying the Hun Dragon from his mount on a Mark V tank, Punch 1917
So for all those horse soldiers past and present– the cossacks, cuirassiers, dragoons, chasseurs, hussars, spahis, uhlans, lancers, jäger zu pferde, and mounted rifles, as well as those riding tracks and wheels today, raise a glass!