According to Adkin, the Regiment was disbanded in 1817, many of its remaining soldiers returning to civilian life, while others transferred into the 9th Regiment of Foot (the Royal Norfolk Regiment) or the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot. The latter was merged with the 56th to become the Essex Regiment under the Cardwell Reforms and there are several similarities between the (fictional) South Essex and (historical) East Essex regiments: both captured French Imperial Eagles, both have yellow coat facings, and they share a county designation.