Essex Regiment

Origins

The Essex Regiment was formed in 1881 following a union of the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, and the 56th (West Essex) Regiment of Foot. The 44th Foot became the 1st Battalion of the new regiment, and the 56th Foot became the 2nd Battalion. The Essex Regiment was an infantry regiment. The regiment recruited from across Essex county.

Historical Note

Contrary to the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell, there was no South Essex Regiment. Although it’s all a rollicking good read, so we forgive him.

Napoleonic Wars

The 44th fought in the Peninsular War at Sabugal (1811), Fuentes d'Onor (1811), Badajoz (1812), Salamanca (1812), Burgos (1812), Bidassoa (1813). The 2nd Battalion 44th Foot captured a French Eagle at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812. The 2nd/44th fought at Quatre Bras in the Waterloo campaign (1815).

American War 1812-1814

During the American War 1812-1814 the 1st Battalion 44th Foot fought at Battle of Bladensburg (1814), North Point (1814), Villeré Plantation (1814), and New Orleans (1814).

Victorian Era

The 44th Foot fought in the First British-Afghan War and the regiment formed the rearguard on the retreat from Kabul. On 13th January 1842 the regiment made a “last stand” against Afghan tribesmen at the Gundamuck Pass. The only survivor was Surgeon William Brydon. A haunting depiction of the 44th at Gundamuck was painted by the aritist William Barnes Wollen in 1898. Today the painting hangs in the National Army Museum.

First World War

During the First World War the Essex Regiment provided 30 infantry battalions to the British Army (3 Regular Army, 18 Territoral Force, 6 Kitchener Army, 3 Garrison). The regiment's battle honors for the First World War include Le Cateau, Ypres, Loos, Somme, Cambrai, Gallipoli, and Gaza.

Anglo-Irish War

The Essex Regiment, stationed in Southern Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-21, was made (in)famous by allegedly torturing suspected IRA members in their custody. They became known to Irish Republicans as the 'Essex Torture Squad.' Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival, who surrendered the British garrison at Singapore in 1942 was a Brevet Major and intelligence officer in the regiment during this period of Irish history.

Second World War

Under construction.

Post-War

The 2nd Battalion was disbanded in 1948. The 1st Battalion merged with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment in 1958 to form the 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot). In 1964 the regiments of the East Anglian Brigade formed the new Royal Anglian Regiment. The “Essex” lineage continued in the regiment’s 3rd Battalion (a.k.a. “The Pompadors”). In 1992, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded and the old “Essex” ceased to be. New infantry recruits from Essex county are assigned to companies in the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment.

Territorial Army

The "Essex" tradition also continues in the Territorial Army. The Essex infantry reservists are represented by E (Essex and Hertford) Company, The East of England Regiment.

External Links

Royal Anglian Regiment website (official)

Essex Regiment Museum

The Essex Regiment in 1914-18

Essex Regiment at regiments.org

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