|
Between the Wars, 1919-1939
The Second World War, 1939-45
Post War - The Essex Regiment and 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot)
The First of the Large Regiments- The Royal Anglian Regiment
Between the Wars, 1919-1939The 1st Battalion soldiered at home, also seeing active service in South Ireland (1919-21) and in Palestine (1937-38), with an early peace keeping tour in the Saarland, 1934-35. The 2nd Battalion served in Malta, Turkey, India, Egypt and the Sudan, seeing active service in Turkey (1920) and on the North-West Frontier of India (1930-1). In 1913 four silver drums were presented to each regular battalion by the County of Essex. These were added to between the wars by public and private subscription, so that by 1937 the Regiment possessed a still unsurpassed display of silver drums and bugles. Prior to the last war the calls of anti-aircraft defence caused the conversion of two Territorial battalions, leaving only the 4th and 5th Essex. These were duplicated in 1939, so that the Regimental order on the outbreak of World War II was 1st Battalion (Egypt), 2nd Battalion (Warley), 1/4th and 2/4th Battalion (TA) (Ilford), 1/5th (TA) (Chelmsford), and 2/5th Battalion (TA) (Colchester). To these were added during the course of the war the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 30th and 70th Battalions.
The Second World War, 1939-45The 2nd Battalion, the "Pompadours", were again first in the field, moving to France in September, 1939. They took part in the retreat to, and withdrawal from, Dunkirk in May, 1940. They again landed on D Day, 1944, and fought through without respite, but with great renown, to the final capitulation of Germany in May, 1945. The 1/4th (TA) gave distinguished service in North Africa, Italy and Greece. The Battalion took part in the Battle of El Alamein and in the final battles which led to the surrender of the Axis forces in Africa. In Italy the Battalion played a crucial role in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The 1/5th Essex (TA), too, gave valiant service in some of the most bitter fighting in the Italian Campaign of 1943-4, at the crossing of the Trigno and Sangro Rivers, and saw the final stages of the fighting in North-West Germany. The 2/5th Essex (TA) was overwhelmed at Deir-El-Shein in 1942, but all ranks have the satisfaction of knowing that the delay their resistance caused Rommel's Africa Korps was an essential factor in gaining time for the withdrawing Eight Army to reorganize and stand on the Alamein Line. The wartime raised 8th, 9th and 10th Essex were converted to armoured, artillery and parachute troops respectively, and as such took part in the campaign in North-West Europe., 1944-45. Lieutenant-Colonel A.C. Newman, 4th Battalion, gained the Victoria Cross during the St.Nazaire Raid whilst serving with the Commandos.
Post War - The Essex Regiment and 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot) After the war the 1st and 2nd Battalions were amalgamated to form the 1st Battalion (44th and 56th), while the need for anti-aircraft units in the re-formed Territorial Army meant that the 4th Battalion was the only remaining Essex Territorial infantry battalion. From 1953 to 1954 the 1st Battalion served in Korea, before being stationed in Hong Kong, 1954-56 and Germany 1956-58. In Korea the large numbers of young National Service soldiers from Dagenham brought into use a new Regimental nickname- "The Dagenham Light Infantry"! Whilst at Dortmund, on 2nd June 1958 the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment to form the 1st Battalion, The 3rd East Anglian Regiment, (16th/44th Foot). This was a result of the ending of National Service for young men and a policy of reliance on Nuclear Weapons for National Defence. The new Regiment served in Germany, in the Malayan Emergency, in Northern Ireland, then a pleasant and peaceful posting, before being posted to Berlin soon after the erection of the Berlin Wall. A welcome change was made to an all-Regular Army.
The First of the Large Regiments- The Royal Anglian RegimentWhilst in Berlin the regiments of the East Anglian Brigade were the first to adopt the new policy of forming a "large regiment", the Royal Anglian Regiment on 1st September 1964. The Pompadours became the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, serving later in Tidworth, Aden, for an Emergency Tour, Aldershot, Cyprus, as part of the United Nations forces, and Germany, as part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). The 3rd Battalion served a number of tours in Northern Ireland between 1972 and 1992, in both rural and urban areas. Indeed, it was while during an operational tour in Londonderry in the latter year that the Battalion learnt it was to be disbanded as part of cuts forced on the Army by the Government's "Options for Change" paper. On 5th October 1992 the 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment (Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex), was disbanded at Colchester and its personnel and traditions were passed on to the 1st Battalion of the Regiment. In all its long and colourful history The Essex Regiment has never failed in peace and war. It has only one standard in barracks or in battle - the highest. To attain this standard it must cling at all times to the old simple ideas that have made the British Army famous in history throughout the world - obedience, service and sacrifice.
|
