South Essex Regiment

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The South Essex Regiment, later the Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers, is a fictional infantry line regiment in the British Army that was created by Bernard Cornwell in the Sharpe novel series.

Fictional history

The regiment first appears in the inaugural Sharpe novel,

Sir Henry Simmerson, who has raised the regiment at his own expense.[1]

According to historian Mark Adkin, at the end of 1809 there were 103

militia soldiers, because it was disgraced and re-designated a battalion of detachments shortly after its formation, or because it was disbanded only nine years after its formation (historically, the New South Wales Corps was designated the 102nd Regiment of Foot).[2]

Sharpe and his small detachment of

95th Rifles are attached to the South Essex after being separated from the rest of their regiment during Sir John Moore's retreat the previous year and the regiment is withdrawn to England.[1] Sharpe quickly clashes with Simmerson over the latter's harsh treatment of his soldiers, and humiliates Simmerson by successfully teaching the battalion's Light Company to improve their musketry skills.[3]

In what should be a straightforward mission to destroy a bridge at Valdelacasa, in French-occupied Spain, the South Essex is disgraced when Simmerson's bad judgment leads to a high number of casualties and the loss of their

Sgt. Harper capture a French Imperial Eagle as a trophy, restoring the Regiment's honor (historically, the first British capture of an Imperial Eagle occurred at the Battle of Barrosa, in 1811, chronicled in Sharpe's Fury
). This Eagle is later featured on the Regiment's flag and jacket badges.

The South Essex continues to serve throughout the Peninsular Campaign, with Sharpe in command of its Light Company, which incorporates his remaining Riflemen. After Lawford is wounded during the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo in 1812, he is replaced by Col. Brian Windham, who is ambushed and killed by a treacherous French officer outside Salamanca.

In

Lucille Castineau
.

The Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers is present at the Battle of Waterloo, under the command of Lt. Col. Joseph Ford. At the Battle of Quatre Bras, the regiment was nearly decimated by French cavalry. During the climactic attack of the Imperial Guard, Ford suffers a breakdown, and Sharpe takes command to prevent the Regiment from breaking, addressing the soldiers by the Regiment's original name, the South Essex. As the French army breaks, Lord Wellington confirms Sharpe in command of the regiment and orders it to join the general advance of the British line. After Waterloo, in Sharpe's Assassin, the Regiment is assigned to rescue British prisoners from the Château de Ham. Later in Paris, the regiment is sent with 3 Prussian companies to attacks a French battalion hiding in a vineyard. Soon after, Sharpe retires, and Major Peter D'Alembord takes command.

According to Adkin, the Regiment was disbanded in 1817, many of its remaining soldiers returning to civilian life, while others transferred into the 9th Regiment of Foot (the Royal Norfolk Regiment) or the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot. The latter was merged with the 56th to become the Essex Regiment under the Cardwell Reforms and there are several similarities between the (fictional) South Essex and (historical) East Essex regiments: both captured French Imperial Eagles, both have yellow coat facings, and they share a county designation.[2]

Battle honours

According to Cornwell's novels, the South Essex/Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers has fought in the following engagements:

Regimental Colonels

Structure

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Cornwell 1981, Chapter 1.
  2. ^ a b Adkin, Mark. The Sharpe Companion, Chapter 2.
  3. ^ Cornwell 1981, Chapter 2.

Sources

  • Adkin, Mark. The Sharpe Companion: A Detailed Historical and Military Guide to Bernard Cornwell’s Bestselling Series of Sharpe Novels. London; New York: Harper Collins, 1998.
    ISBN 0-06-073814-6
    .
  • ISBN 0-00-221997-2
    .

External links
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