The Essex Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army that saw active service from 1881 to 1958, serving in many small conflicts and both the First and Second World Wars. Members of the regiment were recruited from across the county of Essex. In 1958 the regiment was amalgamated with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment to form the 3rd East Anglian Regiment. However, the existence was short-lived and, in 1964, was amalgamated again with the 1st, 2nd East Anglian regiments and the Royal Leicestershire Regiment to form the Royal Anglian Regiment.