A Look Back
On the first night, meeting in the Church hall in Church Street (which later became a doctors' surgery), four boys turned up. They were:- Alex Peat, Donald McLaren, Robert Maddigan and Willie Angus.
They were told to go off and recruit more boys and on the second night a further 8 arrived. The 7th Coatbridge Company of The Boys' Brigade was on its way!
We had to overcome some early difficulties but we faced up to the challenge and took them in our stride. Due to wartime many problems arose. We could purchase caps and belts but haversacks were not available and those Boys who obtained them managed to get them from friends who had been in other B.B. Companies. It has been said this trend has continued throughout the existence of the 7th . We get what we can free-gratis and pay as little as possible for the rest!!
Due to the restrictions food rationing was in force. When going to camp all Boys brought along ration coupons and, as Captain Brown's father had a butcher's shop, we were not short of meat. At weekend camps everyone brought along a food parcel, the tins of soup all went into one big Dixie and we had Heinz 57 varieties all together.
Our early programme consisted of a “form of drill”, P.T. and games. No-one had any experience of B.B. badge work and the only class we had was a First Aid class for which we proudly received a certificate the first year and a badge the second year. The four original members received immediate promotion to corporals and were given duties such as badge organiser, treasurer, canteen manager and “dog's body”.
In these early days we had to prove ourselves to the Kirk Session and some elders were harder to convince than others. However over the years the “doubters” were converted and realised that The Boys' Brigade did have something worthwhile to offer. In fact we invited some of them to become honorary members of our company and they were proud to accept our invitation. The Company has gone on from that time to enjoy the great support of the Kirk Session and members of Middle Church second to none.
Over the years we have been fortunate to receive many trophies for competition within the Company and these are listed separately. Our first recognition was in 1953 when Mr. and Mrs. Robert Irvine gifted us our Company Colours. We still proudly carry them today.
Through the strong connections of our Honorary President at the time, Mr. Robert Irvine, we were fortunate to enlist the services of many important Inspecting Officers for our Annual Displays and their names are recorded for history. The Display has continued to be an important highlight of our session. In 1956 Mr. Irvine set us the challenge – he would get an important Inspecting Officer if we put on a good Display. We booked Coatbridge Town Hall and our Inspecting Officer was Mr. Hugh Fraser. Since then many special people have been Chief Guests at our Annual Displays.
In the late fifties and early sixties we ambitiously decided to obtain a Company Headquarters and after a bit of investigating we rented a room in Sunnyside Road from “King Fergie” the cycle man and enjoyed several years there holding classes, officers monthly meetings and N.C.O. Club Nights. In 1974 we built our Company Headquarters beside the Church which has been well used not only by the Company but by our kindred organisations in the Church over the years. The planning, plumbing, electrical work, painting and labouring was all done by our own company members.
In 1983 The B.B. celebrated its Centenary with a big display at Ibrox Stadium (Centenary Salute). Matt Peat was invited to take command of the opening and closing Ceremonial Parade and required stewards to organise all the Battalion Colour Parties on parade. Every officer in the 7th was in action to make that part of the special day run smoothly and with great dignity - a proud day for all of us.
In 1985 we introduced into our activities a trumpet band which proved a winner. For several years we participated in the Scottish B.B. Band Championships and, as our records show, we had a fair bit of success in our efforts in this field. Unfortunately, as happens in many B.B. bands, due to Boys moving on, our band is at present in cold storage but hopefully it will rise again.
Over the years no B.B. Company exists without the fun and humour which goes on week by week and year by year. Boys have nicknames which at times baffle the officers as they try to understand who is who. Many members will recall some of the names given to their “friends” in the Company.
YOGI! CASPER ! WING NUT!
FAST EDDIE! THE PROFESSOR!
We could go on but will refrain from giving their right names (for fear of being sued)!!
Many past members will also recall the various camps which we enjoyed. Every camp has its own memories and stories:-
KINGHORN: Where the Bonnie Baby contest was judged by the volume of applause by spectators. Our boys made one mother happy that day but the other mothers could not understand how such a “bonnie” baby like that could win.
NAIRN: A certain officer offered the boys one shilling for every good golf ball found on the golf course. He bought the same ball several times from the same boy before catching on.
PORT ERIN : One of our boys entered a go-as-you-please contest and won it. However he was late returning due to the presentation and the next morning he was presented with his winner's prize – he was given extra duties for being late back to camp!
MORECAMBE: One boy who had never been to camp before was advised by his “pals” to bring his dressing gown and slippers. I think everyone had a go at the dressing gown in the morning, all except the boy who brought them.
The stories could go on and on …………...
Some time ago Matt Peat set himself the task of compiling a list of all known Boys who have been through the Company Section of our Company - this list is included in the Company Roll section of the website. Apologies to anyone who has been unintentionally omitted - let us know and we will be happy to amend the records.
Over the years we have seen many Boys pass through the ranks of our Company. The success of the Company has been through the efforts of Officers and Boys together. 121 Queen's Men and 129 President's Men are an excellent tribute to the Boys who have come through our ranks. It is significant that the word Boy in the B.B. is spelt with a Capital B. Our Boys have made a name for themselves as well as contributing to the historic records of the 7th Coatbridge Boys' Brigade Company and we hope we have recognised this in some way in producing this website.