The earliest predecessor Regiment to the Essex Regiment was raised in 1741. It took part in the Great Siege of GIBRALTAR from 1779-83 and was awarded the Castle and Key emblem. A famous Battle Honour was won at SALAMANCA in 1812 during the Duke of Wellington's campaigns in the Peninsular War against Napoleon's French troops, during which an Eagle, the highly treasured emblem of a French Regiment, was captured. Members of the Regiment were known as "The Pompadours" because of their rose-purple facings, a colour popular with Madame de Pompadour, a well-known lady of the French court in the eighteenth century.
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Pictures left to right: Private, The 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, Taku Forts 1860. Colour Sergeants, 2nd Battalion The Essex Regiment with the old 56th Pompadour regimental colours, c. 1890s. |
