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The Boys' Brigade in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

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The Boys Brigade is the largest Christian uniformed youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its British headquarters are located at Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Companies in other countries may have their own national headquarters.


History

The first Boys' Brigade company was set up by Sir William Alexander 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: 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.

More Boys' Brigade - History

Regions, Districts and Battalions

Each company is normally connected to a battalion comprising several nearby companies, which in turn are organised at a district and then national level, although in Scotland each company is attached to a local district, which is attached to a battalion.

The Boys' Brigade in the United Kingdom is divided into two regions and four districts;

Sections in the BB

There are five different age groups, known as "sections", within the organisation:

  • Anchors - P2 to P3
  • Juniors - P4 to P6
  • Company - P7 and S1 upwards
  • Seniors - 15 to 18 years
  • AMICUS - 15 to 22 years (Note, this section also admits girls)

In many companies the Company and Senior sections are run jointly.

Leadership

Leaders are designated as Warrant Officers 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. The post of Captain of a company is a 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.

Older boys can be promoted to be an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer). There are four levels of an NCO, each being awarded when a boy reaches a high enough standard of leadership. The four levels are Lance Corporal (minimum age 14), Corporal (minimum age 15), Sergeant (minimum age 16), and Staff Sergeant (minimum age 17). NCOs often play an important role in the Boys' Brigade, helping the officers and other adult helpers with organising activities and awards classes, particular in the Anchors and Juniors sections. Based on the rank insginia of the British Army at the time the Brigade was formed, NCOs to the rank of sergeant wear chevrons on their upper right arm, and staff sergeants wear four chevrons on the lower sleeve, pointing up.

See also


Battalions

Companies

For More see the Boys Brigade Directory.

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