History Of The Boys Brigade

History Of The Boys Brigade
The first Boys' Brigade company was set up by Sir William Smith on 4 October 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow, Scotland to develop "Christian manliness" by the use of a semi-military discipline and order, gymnastics, summer camps, and religious services and classes.

In the years following the establishment of the 1st Glasgow company, others were rapidly formed throughout Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom leading to a movement comprising thousands of boys. The Boys Brigade movement in Wales was founded by George Phillip Reynolds in 1887 at Havelock Sreet Presbyterian Church, Newport, Monmouthshire.

By the early 20th century there were about 2,200 companies connected with different churches throughout the United Kingdom, the British Empire, and the United States, with 10,000 officers and 160,000 boys. Each company is normally affiliated to a battalion encompassing several nearby companies, which in turn are organized at a district and then national level, although in Scotland each company is attached to a local district, which is attached to a battalion. Companies are named in the form "2nd Springfield", indicating the second company to have been established in or around Springfield; it should be noted that where companies have closed, numbers are not normally reallocated, so it is quite normal to find a "2nd" but no "1st" company.

Being the earliest of all youth organizations, a simple rosette was worn as an identifying uniform, shortly being replaced by the simple use of a belt, haversack, and pillbox cap (a popular military cap of the day) worn over the boys' everyday clothing. The pillbox cap was used into the 1960s, long after it had fallen out of use in the British Army, when it was replaced with a field cap.

The movement also pioneered camping for leisure in Britain, previously rarely used outside the military. Early admirers of the Brigade included Robert Baden-Powell who as Vice President of the Boys' Brigade used it alongside initiatives in schools, particularly Eton, to promote the idea of scouting and outdoor pursuits based on those of the military for boys. At the time, he did not originally intend that any individual organization would later arise from this aim in the form of the various Boy Scouts movements. Early examples of Scouting were seen in Boys' Brigade Scouting awards and even specialised Boys' Brigade Scout sections who wore a blue uniform with shorts and the distinctive Smokey Bear hat traditionally identified with Scouts, and still worn today by drill sergeants in the United States Army. However, nowadays there is a certain friendly rivalry between the two groups.

The Boys' Life Brigade was one of many similar movements formed by the Boys' Brigade's influence, sometimes along denominational or religious lines, including the Church Lads' Brigade, the Jewish Lads' Brigade, or the Catholic Boys' Brigade. The merger also prompted the abandonment of dummy drill rifles that had been used in The Boys' Brigade, due to the Life Brigade's objection to use of weapons or their representations. For some time afterwards, the section covering members aged 8–12 years was known as Life Boys, before being restyled as the Junior section.

A popular hymn in the BB containing its motto and obvious reference to its emblem is "Will Your Anchor Hold"[4] by Priscilla Owens, usually sung at displays and church services. Note, however, that this is not the official Boys' Brigade song.

My 1st Guard Of Honour Experience

I’m Private So Kim Sheng. Today 11th October 2008, it was the time we celebrate the Founder’s Day of Boys’ Brigade Malaysia. 3rd Kuala Lumpur Company was in charge on Guard Of Honour (G.O.H), I’m taking part in G.O.H, this is the 1st time that I’m taking part in G.O.H. I’m so excited.. ^^..Because I will be wearing my full-U with my badges…hehe…
After we reach 4th Kuala Lumpur Company, we falled in and form squad and arrange the standing place. It is the time to do something very excited (for me only…..think so… XD)…
Now we are moving to the field for G.O.H. we fall in, in the G.O.H position as the early we have arranged, then Colour Party fall in. Then we were waiting for the V.I.P come. While I’m waiting, I’m very strain.
After while, V.I.P came, and G.O.H started, when the V.I.P walk through I was very scare, because I scare I had do wrong something, after V.I.P pass through me, then I only a bit relax(I means I dint shock and scare again after V.I.P pass through me).
After that, Colour Party falled out, then we “Lurus ke dalam lurus” that part got a little bit mistake, that time I was shocked(thinking correct or not). Then we fall out for Founder’s Day celebration.
My experience is before we do anything, we need more practice. If not will be do the mistake like me. But this time G.O.H, I have gained more experience for my drill.


'The Father Of Boys Brigade'

Reported by

PTE So Kim Sheng.

Coming Up Soon....

Hi guys,our squad has not been updating recently due to the exam season(studies comes first),we'll be back soon with few of our articles already drafted and soon to be posted one by one.One of our articles will feature one of our Private's Experience at Founders Day!There are many more interesting articles we are planning to post,some of them which could be useful.Stay tuned,and our next posting is expected to be on this Saturday 22-october-08.

And not forgetting Happy Belated Birthday Boys Brigade!!



LCPL Naga,
Asst Leader Of C1.

Good Luck PMR BOYS!

Squad C1 would like to take this oppurtinity to wich good luck to all PMR sitters,in particular,Sean and Fuh Lin from our squad and others.All the best to you guys!Remember even if you miss or not sure of a question,try to atleast fill up something.Trying and losing is better than giving up and losing.