The Boys’ Brigade Remembers
Friday 9th November 201880 young people and leaders from The Boys’ Brigade are taking part in the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday (11 November).
Young people from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland will come together to join the parade, representing the wider organisation. Throughout the UK and around the world, BB members will also be taking part in local acts of remembrance.
Representing The Boys Brigade will be members from 31st Northampton, 1st Acomb, 3rd Kettering, 1st Ossett (England); 16th Newtownabbey, 24th Belfast, 1st Fintona and 7th Portadown (Northern Ireland); and 22nd Paisley and 1st Whitburn (Scotland).
Callum Gibson, 12, member of 1st Ossett BB company in West Yorkshire, is amongst those taking part in the Cenotaph Parade on Sunday. Callum’s Great Grandad, Harry Gibson, served in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infinitary and his Great great Grandad, Alfred Firth, served in Belgium and France.
Callum, 12, said:
“I feel it’s important to remember those who died because they were prepared to give their lives for us.
“I also think we should remember that war caused so much death and pain and that we should always try to choose peaceful negotiations over killing people”
Many former members of The Boys’ Brigade fought in both World Wars. Amongst the 628 members of the armed forces to receive the Victoria Cross during the First World War, 11 were former members of the BB.
Bill Stevenson, CEO of The Boys’ Brigade UK & RoI, will also be attending Sunday’s parade.
He said:
“I am very proud to be a member of The Boys’ Brigade which does so much to help remember the sacrifices of those who served in our armed forces. I have just returned from visiting some of the WW1 battlefields and I really am in awe of those who served part in those campaigns.
“Whilst it is now 100 years since the end of the Great War and over 70 since the end of WW2, it is humbling and encouraging to see how keen our young people are to play their part in Remembrance day.
“Whilst the national focus is on the Cenotaph Parade in London, I know that BB companies throughout the UK will be playing a very active part in local commemorations.”
Elsewhere, 68 BB groups from around the UK have been taking in the ‘There But Not There’, a project to commemorate those who died in the First World War through installations of silhouettes wherever there is a Roll of Honour.
1st Holmer Green based in Buckinghamshire is one of the BB groups taking part in the project.
Mark Durn, adult leader with 1st Holmer Green, said:
“We decided to get involved in order to help the children understand what has been given to them in terms of sacrifice from generation past.”
To find out more about The Boys’ Brigade, please visit https://boys-brigade.org.uk/
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The 58th Birmingham will be taking part in the Last Post as part of the nationwide Battles Over commemorations at Yardley Baptist church