The Colours

In 1751, a Royal Warrant was issued to ensure uniformity of clothing, standards and colours of the army. It also regulated the rank and number of the regiments. For the 44th Regiment, the colour of the uniform facings directed to be yellow. The regimental colour was of yellow silk, with the Union in the upper canton; in the centre of the colour was the number of the rank of the regiment, in gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

Bears on the Regimental Colour

1801	: "Egypt" and The Sphinx emblem - for the regiment.
1812	: "Badajoz" and "Salamanca" - for the 2nd Battalion.
1813	: "Peninsular" - for the 2nd Battalion.
1814	: "Peninsular" - for the 1st Battalion.
1814	: "Bladensburg" - for the 1st Battalion.
1815	: "Waterloo" - for the 2nd Battalion.
1826	: "Ava" - for the regiment.
1855	: "Alama", "Inkerman", and "Sevastopol" - for the regiment.
1860	: "Taku Forts" - for the regiment.

the Essex Regiment

In 1873, with the amalgamation of the East and West Essex regiments, the XLIV, yellow silk and battle honours of the 44th were adopted by the new 1st Battalion Essex Regiment.