The early history of the band is not as clearly documented as that of the Essex Yeomanry Regiment itself. Although trumpeters were used by all cavalry regiments as a means of giving commands, the first real evidence of an Essex Yeomanry Band (then on horseback), was recorded in 1809.
In 1830, the Commanding Officer of the West Essex Yeomanry was financially supporting the band out of his own pocket. An engraving of 1846 by Henry Martens shows a drummer mounted on a white horse, sporting a plumed turban. The other mounted bandsmen wore the Yeomanry uniform of the period. In 1877, the West Essex Yeomanry reformed and became the Waltham Abbey Town Band, continuing to wear the Yeomanry uniform. But when Lt. Colonel R. B. Colvin raised the Essex Imperial Yeomanry in 1901, the whole of this Band (under its Bandmaster, Mr. Campbell) at once enlisted as a body, returning to the Regiment with its instruments and uniforms.
There are some photographs showing the Essex Imperial Yeomanry Regimental Band, in the first few years of the Century, still wearing the leopard skins and brass helmets of the West Essex Yeomanry Cavalry. The Bandmaster at that time was Mr. Cook, who continued throughout 1914-18, during which half the Band’s members lost their lives in action.
The Essex Yeomanry became gunners in 1921, but still retained the band. The musicians were now dismounted, but continued to entertain all those who heard them play. In the 1930s a famous Bandmaster from the Essex Regiment, Mr. H. E. Facer, was appointed – to be succeeded just before the Second World War by Mr. F. G. Hart who was Bandmaster with 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment RHA. By 1937, the band was in full dress uniform of the Regiment, complete with brass helmets.
During the 1939-45 war, the Essex Yeomanry Band was disbanded, but reformed again in 1947 under the continued direction of Mr. Hart. This was a difficult time for the players, as all the uniforms had been destroyed in the bombing of Chelmsford. In 1952, official recognition of the band was given by the War Office, (but like the regiments, was sadly withdrawn in 1969).
By 1975 the Band’s survival appeared critical when the Essex Yeomanry Cadre RHA ceased to exist. The Essex Yeomanry Association decided to underwrite the future of the Band which formally changed its name in 1976 to the Essex Yeomanry Association Band, thus putting it outside the grasp of the War Office or under Army control. The band continues to have a close relationship with the Essex Yeomanry Regiment and a member of the Regiment acts as our President.
In the early 1980s the band took a controversial step for the time and accepted women musicians, we even had to design a special uniform for them. Now more than 50% of the band are female.
As a result of hard work given by successive Directors of Music and the loyalty of musicians, the Band now operates on a self-supporting basis. Members pay an annual subscription towards the band's upkeep, together with income from concerts. The band plays at occasions ranging from public concerts to garden parties and special events.
