The Territorial Force was created by Act of Parliament in 1908 with the Volunteer Force and the Yeomanry to form a part-time volunteer component to the Army. Men could enlist for service in the UK and could not be compelled to serve overseas although they could (and many did) volunteer for the overseas commitment. Those previously serving with a Volunteer Battalion had to re-engage into these new units. All of the four Essex Regiment Territorial Battalions saw service overseas.
The four Volunteer Battalions were renamed as Territorial Force Battalions: the 1st VB became the 4th, 2nd the 5th and so on. At the end of WW1 the Territorial element was dropped from their respective titles e.g. the 4th Bn Essex Regiment TF becoming simply the 4th Bn Essex Regiment.
At the same time, nine Battalions of Cyclists were formed across the UK, including the Essex & Suffolk Cyclist Battalion. In 1911 the Battalion was split in two to create a 6th (Cyclist) Bn the Suffolk Regiment and 8th (Cyclist) Bn the Essex Regiment. The Cyclist corps was fully disbanded by 1920; the Essex Cyclists were not re-formed after the end of the war.
4-7th Battalions TF
Cap Badges.
Officers silver and bronze cap badges; Other ranks bimetal badge. 1908 – 1919.
KK1738
1st Volunteer Battalion badge in gilding metal, worn by those enlisted into the 4th Territorial Battatlion from 1/4/1908 when the uniforms were changed from green to scarlet.
Essex and Suffolk Cyclist Battalion
Cap Badge.
Other ranks bimetal badge. 1908 – 1911. It is unclear if there was an officers pattern.
KK1868.
8th (Cyclist) Battalion, The Essex Regiment
Cap Badges.
Officers cap badge: silver, bronze.
KK1739.
other ranks cap badges (bimetal and economy patterns.)
KK1739.
