Rayleigh MP Mark Francois, who served as a Territorial Army infantry officer during the Cold War, journeyed to Chelmsford recently to support the opening of a new museum dedicated to recording the history of the Essex Regiment.
The new museum, which is collocated with the Essex History Museum at Oaklands Park, Chelmsford, records the history of the County’s infantry regiment from its origins in the 18th century through to the present day, where it now forms part of the Royal Anglian Regiment, who are currently serving in Afghanistan.
The museum, which features a mixture of static displays, film and video footage and recordings from soldiers who have served in the Regiment also has on display the “Essex Eagle” a French regimental Standard, which the Essex regiment captured from the French at Salamanca in 1812, whilst under the command of the Duke of Wellington.
During his time in the Territorial Army Mark served in Number 1 (Essex) Company of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, who were based at Vange, just down the A13 from his current Rayleigh constituency.
Commenting on the opening of the new museum, Mark Francois said:
“As someone who served in an Essex Company of the Royal Anglian Regiment I was particularly pleased to represent my constituents at the official opening of this exciting new museum in Chelmsford. The Regiment has a proud history and even today soldiers from Essex are serving Queen and Country in Afghanistan. I believe things like Regimental traditions, which form so much of the ethos of the British Army, are important and so I am pleased that we now have a purpose built museum to help commemorate our county’s soldiers. ”