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

[Expat Yeoman]

A year on and I have finally been able to unite the various items for this unit that I have been fortunate to acquire.

1. Other rank belt plate
2. Officer waist belt clasp
3. Other ranks button

[Luke H]

Stunning pieces Michael, well done.

[manchesters]

Top quality

Regards

[3dg]

These items are really lovely.
I really like the Volunteer badges, so unique.
Thanks for sharing Michael.

Chris

[Sapper795]

Thanks for sharing
Very jealous

[Expat Yeoman]

Thanks chaps.

They are lovely pieces and I feel very fortunate to have come by them.

As an aside, it never ceases to amaze me how things can turn up in the most unexpected places.. one of these was residing in Australia, very handy for me and the P&P, but I do wonder what travels it took to end up out there, a long way from the Heybridge Basin!

[Expat Yeoman]

Some more for this unit, an officer's 1857 pattern sword and other ranks Lancaster bayonet, both regimentally marked.

This is the best image I have for now as they are in storage, but I will be able to post close ups when I am over next month.

[WE3305]

Very nice! Look forward to seeing the Corps detail etched on the blade, I presume

[Sonofacqms]

As an aside, it never ceases to amaze me how things can turn up in the most unexpected places.. one of these was residing in Australia, very handy for me and the P&P, but I do wonder what travels it took to end up out there, a long way from the Heybridge Basin![/QUOTE]


I have had a City of Norwich VTC badge for years, I exchanged it for a QVC Suffolk with someone from OZ in the 1960's

Rob

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

I have had a City of Norwich VTC badge for years, I exchanged it for a QVC Suffolk with someone from OZ in the 1960's

Rob

I think the chap in Oz got better end of that deal. Fast forward to the 2020’s and QVC Suffolks struggle to sell for £25 but City of Norwich Vols c.£125.

[Sonofacqms]

Originally Posted by Luke H

I think the chap in Oz got better end of that deal. Fast forward to the 2020’s and QVC Suffolks struggle to sell for £25 but City of Norwich Vols c.£125.

Luke,
I still have the City of Norwich VTC, I sent the QVC Suffolk to OZ, sorry for the confusion.

Rob

[norfolk regt man]

Hi Rob, can you post a picture of the Norwich vtc for me thanks