Boys' Brigade: Difference between revisions

The '''Boys' Brigade''' ('''BB''') is the world's first uniformed [[youth organisation]]. The idea for this interdenominational [[Christian]] organisation was conceived by [[William Alexander Smith (Boys' Brigade)|William Alexander Smith]]. Following its inception in [[Glasgow]] in [[1883]], the BB quickly spread across the United Kingdom and became a worldwide organisation by the early 1890s.<ref name="BBM Handbook">{{cite book | title = Senior Section Handbook, Fifth Edition | publisher = The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia | date = 2003 | location = Malaysia}}</ref>

From this verse came the BB motto, "Sure and Stedfast", retaining the old spelling of the latter word.<ref name="FFBStedfast">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Sure and Stedfast | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-motto.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-18}}</ref> Today, some parts of the movement have adopted the modern spelling of "steadfast", whilst others continue to use the original spelling.<ref name="BBM Handbook">{{cite book | title = Senior Section Handbook, Fifth Edition | publisher = The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia | date = 2003 | location = Malaysia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = The Boys' Brigade UK: About Us | url =  

The crest was originally a plain anchor, bearing the BB motto a capital 'B' on either side. Upon the merger between the Boys' Brigade and the [[Boys' Life Brigade]] in 1926, the red Greek [[cross]] was placed behind the anchor to form the current emblem.<ref name="BBM Handbook">{{cite book | title = Senior Section Handbook, Fifth Edition | publisher = The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia | date = 2003 | location = Malaysia}}</ref> The cross originally formed part of emblem of the Boys' Life Brigade.

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: in 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.

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 hat|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 College|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 [[Scouting|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.

Drawing from his [[military]] experience, Sir William Smith introduced the concept of [[camping]] into the Brigade to allow boys and officers to remain in contact when other activities ceased for the [[summer]] break.<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref>

The notion was initially ill-received due to concerns for the boys' safety.<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref><ref name="BBUHistory">{{cite web | title = Boys' Brigade Uniforms: History | date = 2003-09-11 | url = http://histclo.com/youth/youth/org/bri/bri-hist.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref> A mother has been quoted saying, "Camp! My children have always had a roof over their heads, and as long as I live, always will!".<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref> Nevertheless, Sir William Smith proceeded with the idea and 1st Glasgow Company held its inaugural one-week camp beginning on Friday, 16 July 1886, at [[Tighnabruaich]] in the [[Kyles of Bute]].<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref>

The initial reservations towards camping did not last. A tradition developed, where the boys who were marching home on the last day of camp would be greeted by cheers from residents and were each presented with a bouquet of flowers.<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref> Camps soon became one of the most anticipated events in the year<ref name="BBUHistory">{{cite web | title = Boys' Brigade Uniforms: History | date = 2003-09-11 | url = http://histclo.com/youth/youth/org/bri/bri-hist.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref> and early publications of the [[Boys' Brigade Gazette]] contained many accounts of camping experiences.<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref>

Sir William Smith's plans and notes for his first camps have been preserved, and have been used by many other campers.<ref name="FFBCamp">{{cite journal | last = McFarlan | first = Donald M. | title = Summer Camp | journal = First for Boys | date = 1983 | publisher = Collins | url = http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/aboutus/ffb-camp.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12}}</ref>

Leaders in training [[Warrant Officer]]s attaining the rank of [[Lieutenant]] only when having completed additional formal training in youth leadership.  To avoid unnecessary leader hierarchy, all qualified officers are Lieutenants.{{fact|date=February 2007}} The post of [[Captain]] of a company is a [[Brevet (military)|brevet rank]] with those in the position reverting to Lieutenant when they cease to be in the position; similarly other positions such as the company [[Adjutant]] (second to the captain) are considered appointments rather than substantive ranks.