History of the Reserve Battalion of the
56th West Essex
Although the 56th like most battalions
at the tome maintained a depot battalion in England while they
were on foreign service for a short period there was a Reserve
Battalion which was a battalion in it's own right.
It was formed in 1846 at a time when the
country was suffering from public disorder from potato disease
and agitation against the corn laws.
Approval was given for the establishment
of the 56th to be raised to 1,292 men, which would allow for two
Battalions to be formed.
Lt Colonel Nicholson was appointed to
command the new Battalion which was named the 56th Reserve
Battalion.
In December 1846 the First Battalion of
the 56th was posted to Gibraltar while the Reserve Battalion
remained in England for a period, recruiting and then training
before joining them in Gibraltar. At this time their strength
was two staff sergeants, 38 sergeants, 14 drummers and 483 rank
and file men.
Both Battalions served in Gibraltar and
were recorded as parading for a visit by the Infanta of Spain.
This was an important symbolic event marking the first visit by
a member of the Spanish Royal Family since the siege of
Gibraltar during which the 56th played such a big part.
In
1850 the Reserve Battalion was disbanded with some members
transferring to the main Battalion and some being allowed to
volunteer for ships belonging to the experimental Squadron under
command of Commodore Martin.
