Cap badge The Essex Regiment

The Essex Regiment was an infantry unit of the British Armythat saw active service from 1881 to 1958. Members of the regiment were recruited from across the county of Essex. Today, its lineage is continued by the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Of the Regulars, the 1st Battalion served in British and Indian Infantry Brigades in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Burma. The battalion served in the 23rd Infantry Brigade for a few months at the beginning of the war. Rejoining in October 1941, it remained with the brigade until mid-1945, when it joined the 29th Infantry Brigade. It served in Tobruk, then in the campaign in Syria, before moving to India with 70 Infantry Division, which became the core of the Special Force. The brigade's role changed to Long Range Penetration in September 1943; the 1st Battalion formed 44 and 56 Columns of the Chindits and operated in the Japanese rear during the battles of Imphal and Kohima. The battalion had the rare achievement of fighting against the Italians, Germans, French and Japanese.

The 2nd Battalion was part of the independent 56th Infantry Brigade. This brigade was landed on Gold Beach on D-Day from roughly 1.00 pm and immediately set off inland. Taking part in the battle of Le Havre, elements of the regiment discovered the German payroll for the Le Havre garrison in the basement of the hospital.

At the onset of war, the two remaining Territorial battalions once again raised duplicate units; all four (1/4th, 2/4th, 1/5th and 2/5th) began the war in the 161st Infantry Brigade, but 2/4th was immediately detached to help form the duplicate 163rd Infantry Brigade. Both brigades were initially part of the 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division, but in January 1941, 161 Bde was sent by sea to Sierra Leone in West Africa. In June of that year, it was sent the 'long' way around Africa by sea to join Middle East Command, where it was transferred to the Indian Army. The 1/4th Bn served with the 4th Indian Division; the 1/5th and 2/5th Bns, which merged to form the 5th Battalion, served with the 8th Indian Division. Both units saw service in Palestine, North Africa and Italy; and served with the 4th Indian Division in action at the Second Battle of El Alamein. The 2/4th Bn remained in the UK throughout the war.

The 7th (Home Defence) Battalion was formed on 2 November 1939 from 8 Group National Defence Companies. On 24 December 1941, it was reorganised and redesignated as the 30th Battalion. It remained in the UK until it was disbanded on 31 March 1943.

The 8th Battalion was raised at Warley on 4 July 1940 and served in the 210th and 226th Independent Infantry Brigades. On 1 December 1941, the battalion was converted to armour, becoming the 153rd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. While the men donned the black beret of the RAC, they continued to wear their Essex cap badge. During the conversion, surplus personnel were formed into 'R' Company, Essex Regiment, which soon afterwards was designated as V Corps HQ Defence Company. On formation, 153 RAC joined 34 Army Tank Brigade, with which it fought in Normandy. The regiment was disbanded in August 1944.

The 9th Battalion was also raised at Warley on 4 July 1940. After serving with various home defence infantry brigades, the battalion was converted to the 11th Medium Regiment RA on 1 December 1942. The regiment served in Normandy. It was disbanded in January 1946.

The 50th (Holding) battalion was formed at Colchester on 28 May 1940. On 9 October, it was reorganised as the 10th battalion and served in the home defence role. On 8 December 1942, it became the 9th battalion, Parachute Regiment and joined the 3rd Parachute Brigade, with which it saw action in Normandy and at the Rhine.

The 70th (Young Soldiers) battalion was formed in the UK on 16 September 1940 from the younger personnel of the 7th battalion - although you could officially join the British army at age 18, you couldn't be posted for service overseas until age 19. After serving in a home defence role, the unit was disbanded on 31 March 1943.

A 19th Battalion was also formed; it carried out line of communication duties in the Middle East and Eritrea.

After defending Essex during the Battle of Britain and Blitz, 59 (The Essex Regiment) HAA Regiment landed in North Africa with First Army in November 1942, and later saw service with Eighth Army in Italy.