Formed in 1881 from the merger of the 44th and 56th Regiments of Foot. Initially two Battalions, the 1st formed from the 44th of Foot and the 2nd from the 56th of Foot.
There were alongside Militia and Volunteer Battalions, formed from the various earlier Essex Militia and Essex Rifle Volunteer units.
Helmet Plates
Officers: three patterns, all in silver and gilt:
1. Victorian crown, with the lower scroll title being ‘The / Essex / Regiment.”
2. Tudor crown and lower scroll ‘The / Essex / Regiment.”
3. Tudor crown and lower scroll ‘The / Essex / Regt.”
Other ranks, two patterns: 1. Victorian crown and Regimental pattern castle (KK334); 2. Tudor crown with standard pattern castle (KK400.)
Glengarry badges
Officers silver and gilt Glengarry badge; Other ranks one-piece and three-piece Glengarry badge, both with Regimental pattern castle (as KK334.)
Slouch Hat badges
Officers silver and gilt badge; Other ranks first and second patterns with Regimental and Standard pattern castles (KK334, KK335.)
Cap Badges
First pattern with Regimental Castle (KK659)
Officers silver (1896 – 1902) and bronze cap badge (1902); Other ranks cap badge in gilding metal (1896 – 1901.)
Second pattern with Standard Castle (KK660, KK2242 Plastic)
Officers silver (1903-1958) and bronze cap badge (1903-1958); Other ranks bimetal capbadge (1901-1958);
Other ranks economy issue (1916-1918), plastic economy issue (c.1943-1946) and anodised aluminium cap badge (1953-1958) (the anodised badge was only worn by 4/5 and Territorial Bns.)
Other cap badges
Forage Cap
Officers bullion badge, worn 1881 – 1894.
Torin Cap
1. Officers badge, gilt metal. Worn by officers of the 1st Battalion.
2. Officer’s badge, gilt metal. As (1) but with the ’44’ removed.
Field Service Cap
Other rank collar badge worn in the FSC.
Successor Unit: 3rd Battalion, the East Anglian Regiment.