History
The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow
on 4th
October
1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith.
From this one Company formed in Scotland the BB has grown in to a worldwide
movement
having worked with millions of children and young people for well over a
century.
Origins of The Boys' Brigade
The Boys’ Brigade was originated in Scotland of United Kingdom, which was the
world’s first uniformed organization for youth. It has a history of 130 years.
Sir William
Alexander Smith, our Founder, who was a Sunday school teacher of a church. He
felt that
traditional Sunday school approach was hard to satisfy the curiosity and
energetic
disposition of youths. Thus, he made good use of his background as a Volunteer
of Military
Force, integrated the elements of team spirit as well as military discipline
into the
existing religious activities. On 4th October 1883, he gathered about 60 youths
at the
College Free Church in Glasgow and started the first parade. Nowadays, The Boys’
Brigade has
already become an international mission movement, with Companies established in
over 60
countries worldwide.
The Boys’ Brigade was founded on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith
at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow, Scotland.
It was called the 1st Glasgow Company with an initial membership of 59 Boys. The
Boys wore simple uniform which consisted of a rosette, a forage cap, haversack
and belt
while some of the activities conducted were drill, gymnastics and games.
The Boys’ Brigade is the first uniformed youth organization in the world By the
early 1890’s, The Boys’ Brigade grew to become a worldwide organization.
Among other organization formed based on the root
idea of The Boys’ Brigade were:
- Church Lads’ Brigade [1890]
- Girls’ Brigade [1893]
- Boys’ Life Brigade [1899]
- The Jewish Lads’ Brigade [1900]
- Catholic Boys’ Brigade [1900]
- Girls’ Guildry [1900]
- Girls’ Life Brigade [1902]
- Boy Scouts [1908]
- Girl Guides [1910]
The Boys’ Life Brigade became part of The Boys’ Brigade and was called `Life
Boys’ in 1926.
This resulted in the incorporation of the Red Cross from The Boys’ Life Brigade
emblem into The Boys' Brigade Emblem.
The Boys’ and Girls' Christian Brigade Canada (mixed
group) was formed in 2015.