Category: Stories

“For 3 generations” – 1st Petaling Jaya

1st Petaling Jaya CompanyHon. Capt Tan Giok Hui Capt Jason TanSSgt Osmund Ling These are the stories of 3 generations, a lady who took up the courage to lead a full boys team, a boy who came back to lead and a boy who grew to be a man in the Brigade. Thanks to Trinity […]

“Menolong semua orang yang bersedia untuk belajar” – Danniel Berni

Name: Danniel Berni (Kompeni Kedua Pitas) “…sangat mencabar kerana saya perlu bekerjasam dengan orang lain. Walau bagaimanapun, saya tetap bersyukur kerana aktiviti tersebut member banyak pengajaran kepada saya…. Pada pendapat saya, aktiviti Briged Putera sentiasa dapat menolong semua orang yang bersedia untuk belajar seperti saya.” 

“Philippians 4:13” – Audrey Lu

Name: Audrey Lu Jia En (4th Kota Kinabalu Company) “This year marked the 4th year of representing Sabah State in the National Bible Quiz (Up-level). Initially, I was reluctant to participate but through meditating on Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.’ I’ve navigated through it and completed the […]

“Wabah Covid” – Arnold

Name: Arnold Maikol (10th Kota Kinabalu Company) “Banyak program yang tertungguh selama 2 tahun akibat wabak COVID-19 seperti perjumpaan mingguan dan perkhemahan. Namun begitu, dengan teknologi maklumat kini seperti Zoom dan Google Meet, kemungkinan untuk kita berjumpa jadi senang lagi…Harapan saya ialah PUSH dapat diteruskan sampai bila-bila sahaja.” 

“Public Speaking as Introvert” – Alyssa Chee

Name: Alyssa Chee Yang Yie (5th Sandakan Company) “I was given an opportunity to give a testimony during the Founder’s Day celebration in Sandakan, in the year 2022. Frankly, I had a hard time as I am an introvert; hence, public speaking isn’t easy for me. Nevertheless, I took up the challenge and viewed it […]

“Proverbs 27:17” – Sergeant Aaron Leong

Name: Aaron LeongBB Company: 12th Kuala Lumpur “Through BB, I have met many close friends whom I cherish dearly. I am able to connect with people all over the world because of BB and this has changed my mindset drastically, and I feel that once I had become aware that there is often a “bigger […]

“Joining at 13” – Staff Sergeant Jonathan Chin

Name: Jonathan ChinBB Company: 12th Kuala Lumpur “…currently serving as Staff Sergeant in The 12th Kuala Lumpur Company. I joined BB when I was 13 years old. Throughout my life in BB I have learned countless soft skills such as how to write a report, how to organize an event, and even how to work […]

“Kovid-19 di Pitas” – Wiwianah Raffey

Name: Wiwianah Nathalie Ethelbert Raffey (2nd Pitas) Nama saya ialah Wiwianah Nathalie Ethelbert Raffey. Prebet dari Kompeni Kedua Pitas. Saya berumur 16 tahun dan bersekolah di SMK Pitas. Di sepanjang pandemik KOVID-19 ini, kami tetap mendorong antara satu sama lain melalui WhatsApp walaupun tidak dapat melibatkan diri dalam perjumpaan secara bersemuka. Selama ini, aktivitiaktiviti seperti […]

“Pionners” – Mr Tan Choi Lye

Name: Mr Tan Choi Lye, Pioneer Member of 1st Penang Company “…To me, Mr Geh Hun Kheng was a devoted Christian, that is how I saw him. From the time when i was student in 1941, although i hazily knew about him. But later on, after the World War, when i know him more…” For […]

“牧者的呼召” – 詹友训牧师

名字：詹友训牧师, 前全国少年军的军牧，分队：诗巫第一分队 “…最美好的回忆啊，我想，有好多哦。但是我要，可能我就讲讲两 个吧。那第一个就是，我在很多officer的这一个的关怀之下成长，而 且这是一个很美好的时间。他们把他们的经验，把他们的爱，把他们 的这个服侍都付出在我们的身上。第二个就是，我有一群，一帮很 好，很要好的BB的朋友，或者说主内的弟兄。诺不是弟兄，诺不是 他们这几个，对我死缠烂打，相信我不会对BB这么热情，不会投全 心投入在这个BB的工作侍奉里。” 想查看他的少年军故事，请浏览以下 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU7ExY5jY70

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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