7th Battalion, Essex Regiment
| 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 February 1860 – 1 May 1961 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Territorial Army
|
| Role |
Infantry Air Defence |
| Part of | Essex Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ |
Silvertown Walthamstow |
| Engagements |
WWI: Battle of Britain Blitz North Africa Italy |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Hugh Adams Silver |
WWI:
Gallipoli
Senussi Campaign
Palestine
The 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment was a volunteer unit of Britain's Territorial Army. First formed in the eastern suburbs of London in 1860, it served as infantry at Gallipoli and in Palestine during World War I. It later became an anti-aircraft (AA) unit of the Royal Artillery (RA), serving in North Africa and Italy during World War II.
An invasion scare in 1859 led to the creation of the Volunteer Force and huge enthusiasm for joining local Rifle Volunteer Corps (RVCs). The 9th (Silvertown) Essex Rifle Volunteer Corps was one such unit, formed on 1 February 1860 at Silvertown, a new industrial suburb of London on the Essex bank of the River Thames. The unit was raised and equipped by Hugh Adams Silver (1825–1912), son of the founder of Silvertown and head of the India Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Cable Company. The unit was included in the 2nd Administrative Battalion of Essex RVCs until 1866 when it was large enough to become independent. It was renumbered as the 4th Essex RVC in 1880, and designated the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Essex Regiment in 1883 following the Childers Reforms. In 1900, the battalion was increased to a strength of 11 companies, with its HQ moved to Leyton. The uniform was Rifle green with facings of the same colour, changing to the scarlet with white facings of the Essex Regiment in 1902.
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