Essex Volunteer History
Militia units were formed and
disbanded at many times in the history of Essex.
On 12 May 1859 , following the Crimea
Campaign and increasing tension with France the Government
authorised Lord Lieutenants of Counties to raise Volunteer Rifle
Corps and Volunteer Artillery units.
The Volunteers were designed to be used
in the case of invasion or rebellion as a rifle skirmisher
defence force to slow down the invaders.
They were required to attend 24 days
drill or exercise in each year or 8 days in each 4 month period.
While under arms they were bound by
military regulations and entitled to relevant military pay.
In 1872 control of the Volunteers passed
from the Lord Lieutenant to the Secretary of State for War and
the Essex Rifle Volunteers were designated volunteer battalions
of the Essex Regiment.
Some switched immediately although
others took several years before using the new title.
In
1907 the Government again stepped in with the mandatory
formation of the Territorial Army by merging the volunteer
battalions with the yeomanry units. The battalions then lost
their independence and became part of the new territorial force.
