5th Essex - First Territorials in the UK to be in a live operation 1914
Two days before the declaration of war 2 August 1918 the 5th Essex Territorials were camped at Clacton on Sea for their annual weeks training.
At 11.30pm while the troops were sleeping in their tents a message was received by the Commander, Colonel J M Welch of Dunmow, that that the Germans had launched a raid on the coast and that the 5th Essex should repel the attack.
The men were quickly raised and the men issued with 20 rounds of live ball cartridge and quick marched to a point 2 miles west of Clacton on Sea where the Germans had been reported.
On their arrival all was quiet and the 5th Essex took up positions to repel any attack but there were no sign of any German invaders making a surprise raid.
At 3am they were ordered to return to their camp, pack up and move on to their Headquarters and await further orders.
The next day they were ordered to move to Harwich for port defence and their war had started.
This episode means that the 5th Essex were the first Territorial Division in England to be issued with ball cartridge and be ordered to fight against invaders.
