92nd Belfast BB

Eglinton Street Congregation was home to the 70th Belfast Company of the Boys’ Brigade, led by Captain Thomas Cairns.

When the congregation moved to Carrs’ Glen the decision was taken, in 1938 to start a new Boys’ Brigade Company. William Hope was appointed Captain and the new Company, the 92nd Belfast, got into full swing , early in 1939, with a membership of 20 in the senior BB, including Jim Kyle who was later to become Captain, and 14 in the Lifeboys (forerunner to the now Junior Section). Despite the war years a modest increase in numbers took place. The Annual Inspection in 1941, however, had to be cancelled because of German Air Raids.

In 1941 the Captaincy passed, on an acting basis, to the Rev. James Houston until, in 1943, William Crowther was appointed Captain.

The post war years saw a dramatic increase in membership. A bugle band started in 1946.

The 92nd’s first taste of camping came in 1949 when Rex Dempster and Joe Hunter attended the Belfast Battalion Camp at Ganaway. The first Company Camp was held in 1950 at Malin Head. This set in place a love of camping which has seen Annual Summer Camps every year since. Since then, the 92nd have camped in all parts of the UK and elsewhere. In 1998 the Company ventured abroad to camp in the Gorge Du Tarn, France. In 2004 the venue was Montseny, near Barcelona in Spain and in 2008, to Pula, Croatia. In 2013 the Company plans to return to Montseny. Camps are fondly remembered by generations of 92nd former members who, when they get together, reminisce about the old times when …..

In 1952 William Crowther stood down as Captain and Tom Jamison, another founder member of the Company, was appointed. In 1956 a Pipe Band was started and participated in Scottish Pipe Band Association Competitions for a number of years, winning the all Ireland grade 4 Championship in 1963, following which, in 1964, they toured Denmark at the invitation of the Danish equivalent of the BB.

In 1958 Tom Jamison relinquished the captaincy and was replaced by Jim Kyle who, in many ways, laid the foundations of what the 92nd is today. Jim had a love of the outdoors which he readily passed on to the boys under his command, in particular through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Of the first eight Gold Awards gained by young people in Northern Ireland, six were members of the 92nd! This achievement was acknowledged when the first Director of the Award Scheme, Sir John Hunt (later Lord Hunt), the leader of the first expedition to successfully ascend Mount Everest, visited the Company.

Under Jim Kyle’s leadership the first minibus was purchased and the Company acquired the use of a cottage near Castlewellan as a base for outdoor activities. Regrettably the cottage is no longer suitable for occupation but it also strikes up happy memories.

 

 

In the early seventies the first joint BB/GB Easter Camp was held in Tollymore Park, a tradition which holds until this day. Every year an intrepid group of boys, girls, officers, husbands, wives, babies and children brave the elements from Good Friday to Easter Tuesday. This is a favourite event for many!

Sadly, in 1981, Jim Kyle, a much loved figure, died an untimely death, through illness, at the early age of 55.

He was succeeded as Captain by Dougie Crowe who served in that role, continuing the traditions established by Jim, until 1992, when he stood down to take on other duties in the Church. He continues to serve in the Company as Treasurer.

David Phillips was appointed Captain in 1992 and continues in that role to this day. David has skillfully managed transition within the Company, taking cognisance of the many changes within society and amongst young people in particular. Under David’s leadership the Company can look forward, with confidence, to continuing to play a significant role in our congregation as they seek to advance Christ’s Kingdom among boys.

Company strength, today, stands at circa 100 boys across the Company Section, Junior Section and Anchor Boys.

Former members of the 92nd are now widespread across the province, the UK and, indeed across the world. Many have played significant roles in life, in business, in science and engineering, in broadcasting, in education, in medicine, in the armed forces, in the police and in the sporting arena. Not least many have found Jesus as their Saviour and serve him, not only in this congregation but in many others.

The 92nd….. Sure and Steadfast!