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.
In 1933, the Brigade celebrated its Golden Jubilee and the 130th
Glasgow were present to take part in the celebrations. Boys marched all
the way from Broomhill to Queen’s Park, stopping en route to
allow the then Captain, Mr Willie Muir, to take the reins of the horse
he was to parade on. After the celebrations, the Company marched
smartly back to the church for a party.
Despite discipline being a large part of the Boys’ Brigade
programme during this period, there was always ample opportunity for
fun and entertainment within the organisation. Among the activities
which proved popular at this time were ‘Concert Parties’,
when “Singing in the Rain” and “I’ve never
harmed an onion, why does it make me cry?” became popular hits.
Even during the Company’s Annual Inspection, the element of
enjoyment was important throughout, although this landed one boy in
trouble when he rode a penny-farthing type of bicycle along Randolph
Road to school in order to get the necessary practice for an Inspection
item – but ended up receiving a warning from police for
travelling on this unaccustomed mode of conveyance!
The difficulties which arose during the two world wars did not stop the
work of the Company, though the period of 1939-1945 brought problems
unknown during the First Word War. Evacuation halved the Company
membership and those who remained had to parade with gas masks, whilst
convoy escorts had to be arranged to get the Boys home during the
black-out. The evacuated half of the Company kept in touch by letter
and many of these boys joined local companies. Those at home gained the
new National Service Badge acting as A.R.P. Messengers and First Aid
Post Orderlies and some of the Company’s members were on duty in
Clydebank following the “Blitz” in 1941.
Such was the spirit of the Company that Drill and Bible Class continued
and the only Parade Night missed during the war was the second night of
the Clydebank Blitz.
However, it was this period that also led to a 130th legend when one of
the Boys, Stanley Ewing, was trapped inside his bombed out house for
several days. He managed to reach food through a hole in the wall and
he kept his spirits up by learning Morse Code from his BB Handbook.
In the post-war period, summer camps were resumed under camouflaged
canvas, military supervision and the almost impossible food rationing
conditions. For many years the Company cycled all the way to camp at
Kinlochard and one year the Boys had to endure a mass smallpox
vaccination. As life returned to normal, the activities and programme
expanded. Company Camps were held each summer in places such as
Tayvallich, Tighnabruich, Kinlochard, Southend, Morar and Loch Striven.
