King's Colours, left, South Essex Regimental Colours, right
Although real Essex regiments existed, the 44th (East Essex) and the 56th (West Essex), raised in 1741 and 1755, respectively, and in 1881 absorbed into the Essex Regiment, they should not to be confused with the fictional South Essex as depicted in the novels featuring Sharpe's Rifles. These troops wore yellow-faced jackets, and the officers had silver lace on their shakoes. The unit was first raised as a militia battalion under Colonel Henry Simmerson, and was later deployed to Portugal to fight in Wellesy's army on the Peninsular.
Lieutenant Sharpe of the Green-jackets, and his band of riflemen were attached to the South Essex's Light Company after the events of Valdelacasa in Sharpe's Eagle. Due to his bravery, Sharpe was promoted to captain of the light company by Wellesley, though Simmerson was humiliated by having his regiment considered a 'battalion of detachments' in the division of General "Daddy" Hill.
At Talavera, Simmerson ordered the unit out of the battle line, but Sharpe and Harper kept the light company in the fray, fighting their way through to the centre of a French column and restoring the regiment's honour by capturing its eagle. Simmerson was dismissed for his actions, and the regiment was placed under the command of Colonel William Lawford.
List of known officers at formation:
- Sir Henry Simmerson
- Major Joseph Forrest
- Captain Lennox
- Captain Thomas Leroy
- Lieutenant Robert Knowles
- Lieutenant Christian Gibbons
- Lieutenant John Berry
Selected rank and file