Recruiting was announced around the area and an enrolment meeting was held on Tuesday 4^th October 1904 (coincidentally the Brigade’s 21^st birthday) and the first Parade Night was held on Friday 7^th October 1904. By the end of that first session, over 20 Boys had joined the Company and on 7^th December 1904, the Company was formally enrolled by the Glasgow Battalion Council as the 130^th Glasgow Company.

Under Mr Thomson’s enthusiastic leadership, until he retired in 1925, the Company grew in strength and became well known in the Glasgow Battalion. In 1910 it won the Battalion “Smith Park” Challenge Shield for Drill and the team appeared in the Battalion Display that year in Hengler’s Circus.

During this early period, the Pipe Band was formed and for many years it played a leading part in the success of the Company. At first, they were only equipped with half-size Bag Pipes and it was some time before the original sets were disposed of  and full-size sets were purchased.

In May 1914, the Brigade suffered the great loss of the death of its founder, Sir William Smith, and two members of the Company had the honour of forming part of the Guard of Honour at the graveside.

From the outset, camping was a very popular BB activity and, during the summer of 1922, a number of officers and Boys attended the Battalion Camp at Elie, where our then Minister, the Rev J A Turner Kennedy MA was Camp Chaplain.

In 1925, The Brigade discontinued the use of the rifle, not without opposition. Boys of that time experienced a great thrill when issued with a rifle for the first time, and how proudly it was exhibited to their families. That year, the amalgamation of the movement with the Boys’ Life Brigade and Boy Reserves saw the addition of the Cross to the well known Anchor Emblem and the start of the Life Boys for younger members.

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