1st Essex Engineer Volunteer Corps

[Expat Yeoman]

A recent pick up, an other rank belt and belt plate to the 1st Essex Engineer Volunteer Corps.

A short lived unit, formed December 1861 and disbanded in 1871.

Can anyone help as to what headdress badge(s) they might have worn? From Westlake's book it would suggest the busby and therefore the universal pattern RE Volunteer fused grenade. Or perhaps given they had their own belt design there might be a unit-specific pattern?

Any information gratefully received.

EY

[WE3305]

Hi EY - Im aware this is an old thread but can see that your question hasn’t been answered. Most Engineer Volunteer Corps modelled their uniform on that of the Regular RE’s. Assuming this is the case, 1st Essex would have worn the Hussars Busby with blue bag and busby grenade, probably in WM.

Not a definitive answer…sorry.

If you ever decide to sell, I’d be very interested to add this to my large Engineer Vols collection (as I’m sure others would too!)

May I have your permission to use this image? And would you perhaps have one of the rear of the plate and the rest of the belt?

[Expat Yeoman]

Hi Ryan

Thanks very much for your reply. Subsequent to my original post I acquired a copy of Westlake's RE Volunteers book and that also suggests busby and a WM grenade, though again without confirmation. The other option would be a grenade with the same arm and hammer design... I live in hope of a photo to give a definitive answer!

Also since my post I have been able to acquire some other items to the unit, including an officer pattern waist belt clasp and an example of their button, both of which follow the arm and hammer design. Alas I don't have them to hand to post images but will do so when I can.

Happy to discuss further and can supply more images of the OR pattern belt - PM me your contact details please and we can talk further.

Michael