The Military Orders of St. Barbara
Service Awards for The Royal Hutt River Artillery
Field Artillery
branches around the world have awards that recognize outstanding service known as
the Order of St. Barbara, who is the patron saint of artillerists
world-wide. The Royal School of
Artillery of the Royal Hutt
River Army manages The Military Orders of Saint Barbara service
awards.
Both field artillerists along with their military and civilian
supporters are eligible for these awards.
Two levels of
recognition exist: The Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and The Honourable
Order of Saint Barbara. The most
distinguished level is the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and those who are
selected for this award have achieved long-term, exceptional service to the
field artillery surpassing even their brethren in the Honourable Order of
Saint Barbara. The receiving of
this award links field artillerymen of the past and present in a brotherhood
of professionalism, selfless service and sacrifice.
Receipt of The Ancient
Order of Saint Barbara and The Honourable Order of Saint Barbara service
awards is based on nominations from existing recipients of each award and
must be approved by the Chief of The Royal Artillery.
Candidates for The Ancient Order of Saint Barbara must be recipients
of The Honourable Order of Saint Barbara.
In the present
calendars, the feast of Saint Barbara falls on December 4th (also
the RHRDF Day) and is traditionally recognized by a formal Dining-In or
military dinner, often involving presentations of the Military Order of
Saint Barbara service awards.
For more information regarding The Royal Hutt River Artillery, the Royal School of Artillery of the Royal Hutt River Army, or the Military Orders of St. Barbara, please contact The Chief of the Royal Hutt River Artillery.
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According to legend, Saint Barbara was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy
heathen named Dioscorus, who lived near
Shortly
before embarking on a journey, he commissioned a bathhouse to be built for
her, approving the design before he departed.
Barbara had heard of the teachings of Christ, and while her father
was gone spent much time in contemplation.
From the windows of her tower she looked out upon the surrounding
countryside and marvelled at the growing things; the trees, the animals and
the people. She decided that all
these must be part of a master plan, and that the idols of wood and stone
worshipped by her parents must be condemned as false.
Gradually she came to accept the Christian faith.
As her
belief became firm, she directed that the builders redesign the bathhouse
her father had planned, adding another window so that the three windows
might symbolize the Holy Trinity.
Then
her father returned, he was enraged at the changes and infuriated when
Barbara acknowledged that she was a Christian.
He dragged her before the prefect of the province, who decreed that
she be tortured and put to death by beheading.
Dioscorus himself carried out the death sentence.
On his way home he was struck by lightening and his body consumed.
Saint
Barbara lived and died about the year 300 AD.
She was venerated as early as the seventh century.
The legend of the lightning bolt which struck down her persecutor
caused her to be regarded as the patron saint in time of danger from
thunderstorms, fires and sudden death.
When
gunpowder made its appearance in the Western world, Saint Barbara was
invoked for aid against accidents resulting from explosions--since some of
the earlier artillery pieces often blew up instead of firing their
projectile, Saint Barbara became the patroness of the artillerymen.
The Legend of St. Barbara