There have been many cadet units (Cadet Corps, OTC, JTC, Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force) across the County. Many wore the cap badge of their parent unit e.g. the Essex Regiment.
This section covers those units that had or have their own unique cap badge.
Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green.
Cadet Corps, ACF and then Combined Cadet Force.
From 1965 Woodford Green transferred to the London Borough of Redbridge thus ending the affiliation with Essex.
Boys’ Brigade Cadet Corps.
Various Cadet Corps across the County, e.g. Brentwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Romford, Brightlingsea. The individual units were later merged to form two Cadet Battalions.
Brentwood School
Cadet Corps, OTC (1936), JTC (1941) and CCF (1948)
Cadet Corps (chrome), OTC (gilding metal), JTC then CCF (gilding metal and then cloth.)
All as KK2513
Chigwell School
Cadet Corps (1900), OTC (1914) and CCF (1948)
OTC (blackened) then CCF (gilding metal.)
Both as KK2526
Church Lads’ Brigade
Cadet Corps, three Battalions were formed in the County.
Essex Cadets.
A generic gilding metal badge for units.
Also found in gilt and bronze for Officers.
Essex County Cadets.
A generic gilding metal badge for units.
Essex ACF.
Army Cadet Force.
Bullion badge for County HQ Officers and metal badge for cadets (both unofficial.)
Felsted School.
Cadet Corps (1859), OTC (1908) then CCF (1948)
KK2554, worn 1908 – circa 1972.
Forest School, Walthamstow.
Cadet Corps (1882), OTC (1908) and CCF (1948).
Four versions of the CCF badge are known, two in white metal and two in gilding metal, each with partial or full enamelling. The white metal ones are believed to be the first pattern.
KK2556 (OTC) and 2557 (CCF). From 1965 Walthamstow fell within the London Borough of Waltham Forest thus ending the direct connection with Essex. From 2007 the cap badge of The Rifles has been worn.
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Cadet Corps (1904) then ACF (1942) and CCF (1948 – date).
White metal cap badge and embroidered (two types) beret badge, and a bullion Officer’s beret badge.
KK2586
1st (Ongar) Essex Cadets.
Ongar Grammar School Cadet Corps.
Plaistow Cadet Corps.
Cadet Corps. A cross, within an oval circlet inscribed “PLAISTOW CADET CORPS.” All in white metal.
Public and Secondary School Cadets Association.
Cadet Corps. Badge introduced in 1930 when the Government withdrew financial support to the cadet forces and regimental badges could no longer be used. Worn by e.g. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford.
Royal Liberty School, Gidea Park.
CCF. Formed in 1951 and disbanded in 1972 although the connection with Essex ended in 1965 when Gidea Park moved under the London Borough of Havering.
KK2660
Southend Technical School Cadet Corps, Southend-on-Sea.
1910 – 1917.
Later the Southend High School Cadet Corps before forming the 7th Cadet Bn Essex Regiment in 1917.
Cadet Corps.
Walden Corps, Saffron Walden.
Cadet Corps.
Wanstead County High School.
CCF.
KK2700
Royal Wanstead School.
CCF. Exact dates unknown but the unit was in existence in 1965 when Wanstead moved to the London Borough of Redbridge and thus ended the connection with Essex.
KK2661
