Category: Blog

3rd Brigade Townhall & RECAP 2023

3rd Brigade Townhall – 29 January 2024 The Brigade President, Mr Nicholas Yeap kicked off the year with the Brigade Townhall that happens every quarter to update the BB Officers on the happenings of last quarter and what to look forward in the coming quarter. There were about 50 BB Officers that attended this 3rd […]

BB Asia 3-in-1 Conference

BB Asia 3-in-1 International Conference Celebrates Milestones and Collaboration The recent BB Asia 3-in-1 International Conference, held on December 1st, brought together representatives from 11 Boys’ Brigade (BB) countries for a momentous gathering. With over 45 participants from nations including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan, the event marked a significant platform for fostering international cooperation […]

Brigade Officer’s Retreat 2023

The Brigade Officer’s Retreat is first of it’s kind in the history of BBM. With the theme of “Be encouraged, my friend”, the objective of this retreat is for Officers from different State to come together, experience great fellowship with each other and be encouraged. We spent time worshiping the Lord, praying for each other […]

International Founder’s Day 2023

The International Founder’s Day was initiated during the pandemic with the aim to bring BB Members from across the globe together in celebration of the starting of the BB movement and in fellowship with each other. This year marks the 4th IFD and there are 102 Members and Officers from 15 countries that came together […]

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Receipients

In partnership with Ministry of Youth and Sports, The Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia is appointed as the Operational Authority for The Duke of Edinburgh International Award since 2020.  We want to congratulate the following BB members for their effort in the DofE Journey and achieving the exemplary level. The award giving ceremony was conducted at […]

Beyond Success Graduation

In partnership with Equip, 14 BB Officers went through the 1st Cohort of Beyond Success Leadership Training by John C Maxwell comprising of 7 lessons. The lessons are concise, easy to understand and practical. As part of the strategy to raise more Captains, this training will be part of the mechanism to reach out, identify […]

6th National Bible Quiz 2023

This is the 6th year that BBM conducts the National Bible Quiz in partnership with Scripture Union and Pristine World. It is conducted in MYY Mall, Miri, Sarawak.  This year, there are a total of 144 Intro Level participants from 23 BB Companies (6 states) with 75 Up Level participants from 17 BB Companies (5 […]

ODB xBBM 40 Days Devotional Challenge

The Officers and Members are challenged to doing devotions together with God every day for 40 days. There are 310 individuals from 21 BB Companies including 47 Officers that participated. This also includes 1 Officer from 1st Semarang Company from BB Indonesia. There are a total of 94 individuals that completed all 40 days with […]

Goodbye BB House

BBHQ has moved to a new location. The BB House at Jalan Anak Gasing official goes into history as it is handed over to the new owner. We thank God for all the memories created with the Officers, Members and Guests at BB House. Good news, BB House can now be viewed virtually at https://bit.ly/bbhousevirtual […]

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The Early Years of our Founder

27 Oct,1854

William Alexander Smith was born on 27 October 1854 at Pennyland House, half a mile from Thurso. Thurso is a town of 4000 inhabitants, situated on the north-eastern coast of Scotland, where the Thurso River runs into the sea. Smith was the eldest son of Major David Smith and Harriet Fraser. He was educated at the Miller Institution, known as the “Thurso Academy”.

In 1868, when Smith was 13 years old, his father passed away in Swatow, while on business as a director of the Labuan Coal Company. Mrs Smith accepted the offer of her brother, Alexander Fraser to take the eldest Boy into his home and later into his business in Glasgow. In January 1869, Smith enrolled as a student in the private school, The Western Educational Institution, more widely known as Burns’ and Sutherland’s School. He continued schooling until the age of fourteen and a half. In October 1869, he joined his uncle’s business as a clerk. Alex. Fraser & Co. was a wholesale dealer in “soft goods”, with shawls being a principal line and South America its primary market.

In those days, it was customary for young men of spirit to join the Volunteers. Hence in 1873, Smith followed the military path of his father and grandfather, who were officers in the army, by joining the 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers. He progressed steadily in ranks, rising from corporal in 1874 to Lieutenant-Colonel (second-in-command) in 1905.

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Last modified: 06-03-2020

The Founding of The Boys

30 Jan,1883

It was in his twentieth year that Smith started active work in the Free College Church in Glasgow. He served as a Sabbath School (or Sunday School) teacher there. When he encountered rambunctious teenage Boys, he sought to discipline them through drill and espirit de corps. He then had the idea to band together Boys above the age of twelve into a “Brigade”, in which they would be taught elementary drill, physical exercises, obedience to the word of command, punctuality and cleanliness. Organised games would also be part of the programme. He presented this concept before the Woodside Mission authorities. Permission was given for this experiment to be tried.

He roped in a fellow member of the 1st Lanark, James R Hill, who was also a teacher in the Sunday School. A third Officer who had similar credentials, John B Hill, was also recruited.

They decided upon the following: the name – The Boys’ Brigade; the Crest – an anchor; the Motto – Sure & Stedfast (taken from King James Version Hebrews 6:19); Membership for all Boys aged twelve to seventeen; and the Object – The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect, and all that tends towards a Christian Manliness.

Some ten years later, Obedience was added to the Object of the Boys’ Brigade. Manliness has also in some countries been replaced by the gender neutral ‘character’ since there are now girls who may also join The Brigade.
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Last modified: 15-05-2019

1st Glasgow Company

04 Oct,1883

The Boys’ Brigade was launched in the Free College Church Mission, North Woodside Road, Glasgow on 4 October 1883 with a crew of three Officers and 28 Boys. Smith was the Captain and the Hill brothers were Lieutenants. It was agreed at the on start by Smith, James and John Hill that however the Brigade might develop, the only ranks should be Captain and Lieutenant. The BB is the world’s first uniformed youth organisation. Within the first three weeks, a total of 59 Boys were recruited and strict discipline was enforced within the organisation. In the first session, the Boys did not don on any special attire. It was only in the second session where the haversack, pill-box cap and brown leather waist belt with the BB crest embossed on the buckle were introduced. The addition of a cross-belt for Sergeants came a little later. The Officers sported a small red rosette pinned to the lapel of their jackets. A year or two later, the Officer’s uniform comprising of a dark blue suit, glengarry cap with badge, tan gloves and a cane was adopted.

By November 1883, 35 Boys remained on the roll for formal enrolment. In December of that year, the Brigade leaders organised an examination for promotion. Drill, written work, conduct and character were taken into careful consideration. At the end of the exercise, there were two Sergeants, two Corporals and two Lance-Corporals. The Company was divided into six squads, with these Non-Commissioned Officers heading each squad.
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Last modified: 16-06-2019

From church youth work to a national movement

30 Mar,1885

Meanwhile, the 1st Glasgow Company continued to increase its membership and enhanced its programme. Activities such as swimming, cricket and a brass band which superseded the flute band, were incorporated. On 30 March 1885, five new Companies were enrolled as follows: 1st Glasgow Company (North Woodside Mission), 2nd Glasgow Company (Berkeley Street U.P. Church Mission, now Blythswood Church), 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Glasgow and 1st Edinburgh.
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Last modified: 16-05-2019