The Boys' Brigade in Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Boys' Brigade in Singapore is a youth uniformed group organization which has been present in Singapore since 1930. It currently consists of over 700 officers and 5,500 boys in over 100 companies. Its current Brigade President is Choo Gim Kang. The Boys' Brigade in Singapore celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2005.
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[edit] History
The Boys' Brigade was introduced to Singapore by James Milner Fraser, an architect from Britain. He was a former member of the 23rd Aberdeen and the 33rd London Companies.
On 12 January 1930, Fraser started the 1st Singapore Company at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. With the aid of ex-Sergeant Quek Eng Moh of the 1st Swatow Company, he assembled 12 local Boys to form the company.
Progress was slow initially, but by the time the company was officially enrolled at Brigade Headquarters in London, in August 1930, the membership had risen to 40. The company chaplain was Reverend William Murray and Fraser's lieutenants were John McNeish (formerly of 76th Glasgow) and Dong Chui Sing. Bible class, drill, concerts, wayfaring signalling, first aid, swimming, fencing, tumbling and other forms of physical recreation formed the core of the Boys' Brigade syllabus.
In the following year, the first camp was held at the Singapore Volunteer Camp at Siglap. A successful inspection was also held to bring the session to a close.
Extension soon followed, spearheaded by McNeish with the formation of the 2nd Singapore Company at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church in February 1931.
By 1936, the Singapore Battalion was 200-strong, with the 3rd Singapore (1933) started at the Anglo-Chinese Continuation School, the 5th Singapore (1934) at Choon Guan Presbyterian Boys School, 4th Singapore (1934) at Geylang Methodist Church and the 6th Singapore (1934) at Paya Lebar Methodist Church.
The Battalion Colors were presented to the battalion by F. C. Sands in 1936 and the drill competition was introduced. Fraser served as the Battalion President from 1936 to 1956. In 1940, he handed the captaincy of the 1st Singapore over to one of his Boys, S. P. Chua.
During the war years of 1942 to 1945, The Boys' Brigade's activities were suspended. To avoid desecration, the prized Singapore Colors were destroyed, but some of the coveted drums were stored away in a room at Prinsep Headquarters.
After the war, S. P. Chua revived the 1st Singapore Company. He was joined immediately by Fraser and by 1950, the Battalion had regained its old strength.
By 1968, there were 28 companies in Singapore. In 1971, the Brigade had the distinguished honor of having the President of the Republic of Singapore as its Patron. The Brigade continues to grow today.
[edit] Sharity Gift Box
The Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box (BBSGB) is a major annual event during the Christmas period whereby more than 3,500 BB Officers and Boys, along with volunteers from other various groups, are mobilized to help collect gifts such as food and beverages from people and distribute these items to the needy in Singapore. These beneficiaries include the disabled, welfare homes, the elderly, and low-income families. There are also wishes from the beneficiaries that people can help to fulfill with, such as those requesting for food or household items, or toys and mattresses from children or the elderly.
Since the BBSGB was started in 1988, it has been largely successful and has received great support from Singaporeans who have generously donated gifts over the years. From around 7,000 gifts collected in 1988, it has now collected more than 400,000 gifts last year in 2005. In the last fifteen years, the BB has been working hand in hand with the National Council of Social Services (NCSS). It is now into its eighteen year.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Boys' Brigade in Singapore (National Website)
- The Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box
- The 1st Singapore Company
- The 2nd Singapore Company
- The 3rd Singapore Company
- The 5th Singapore Company
- The 7th Singapore Company
- The 11th Singapore Company
- The 12th (BR) Singapore Company
- The 12th (I) Singapore Company
- The 12J Singapore Company
- The 14th Singapore Company
- The 17th Singapore Company
- The 18th Singapore Company
- The 23rd Singapore Company
- The 27th Singapore Company
- The 30th Singapore Company
- The 31st Singapore Company
- The 32nd Singapore Company
- The 33J Singapore Company
- The 33rd Singapore Company
- The 39th Singapore Company
- The 40th Singapore Company
- The 41J Singapore Company
- The 44th Singapore Company
- The 61st Singapore Company
- The 68J, 69J & 93rd Singapore Companies
- The 76J Singapore Company
- The 77th Singapore Company
- The 85th Singapore Company
- The 93rd Singapore Company
- The 94th Singapore Company
- The NP Primers Singapore Company
- The NYP Primers Singapore Company
- The SP Primers Singapore Company