 The Early Years (1907 - 1935) |
 | The 44th Aberdeen Company was founded 94 years ago by the Rev. W. Phin Gillieson (left). It was formally enrolled with 4 officers and it's first Captain, Phin Gillieson, on Friday December 5th 1907. By the end of the first year an incredible 42 boys had enrolled. This was Company Section only remember, Lifeboys (the forerunner to Junior Section) didn't start at the 44th until 1925 & Anchor Boys weren't formed until 1985.
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Our founder, Rev. Phin Gillieson, was a 28 year old bachelor, the son of a Caithness minister. He came to Mannofield from St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. He was only at Mannofield for 4 years but in that time he was instrumental in starting many of the organisations we know today e.g. BB's, Guides, Sunday School & even the Guild. He left for Ayr in 1910 and was awarded the Military Cross as he served as a chaplain in H.M. Forces from 1915 - 1918. He remained at Ayr for the rest of his life and died there in 1942.
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He was Captain for only one year though, then remained as Chaplain and handed over to another pioneering officer, James L. Archibald snr (right). He was the Companies first real Captain leading it for 12 years and seeing the 44th through World War I. It was to be the start of a long association between the Archibald family with the 44th through to today where Mrs Pat Geddes, wife of our Session Clerk, Nicol Geddes, is the granddaughter of James L. Archibald snr and daughter of Robert Archibald.
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James L. Archibald snr had 2 sons, James jnr & Robert. Both men were officers in the Company. James jnr became the 4th Captain in 1925 and remained until 1933. He was made Honorary Captain in 1935. Robert became an officer in 1928 and it's thought he too had a spell as Captain perhaps during the World War II years although its never been documented in Battalion records. It was at the 44th that Robert met his wife, Mrs Pat Archibald, who is still a special guest at our Open Nights. She played piano for many years. It was Robert too, who in the early 1930's presented the Company with the vaulting horse (and possibly the bars too) which we still use today. Just imagine how many boys have been over that horse in the 70 years it has been with us.
Incredibily the Archibald family gave over 40 years of service to the 44th in those early years.
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| 90 Years of the 44th Aberdeen Boys' Brigade (1997) |
A celebration to mark the 90th aniversary of the 44th Aberdeen Company was held in May of 1997. Many of our 'old boys' and staff returned for a special weekend. Here is the timetable of the events.
- Friday 2nd May 1997 - Open Night
- Saturday 17th May 1997 - Dinner Dance
- Sunday 18th May 1997 - Church Parade
A full report of the events follows.
17th/18th May 1997
90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
This weekend saw our 90th Anniversary celebrations continue with on Saturday 17th May a dinner for ex-members & staff from all BB Sections. It was held at the prestigious Trinity Halls in Aberdeens West End. There were about 50 ex-members and staff present and also invited were our serving Sargents. We were honoured with the presence of Mrs Pat Archibald whose father-in-law founded the 44th in 1907.
There was a reception in the Library followed by a four course dinner in the main hall. After dinner Captain John Allan spoke for the Company outlining to the ex-members what we do in the Boys' Brigade in the 1990's and how the Company has changed over the years. He mentioned the current problems facing BB Companies including retention of Boys and recruitment of staff. He also spoke of the different activities we do now including our sucess on the Internet with our Web Site and the Internet Surfin' Nights we have held.
Rev. Barry Boyd, himself an ex-member, proposed a toast to the Company and this was replied to by our Chaplain, Rev. John Anderson. Both men spoke of thier involvement with the BB and the 44th over the years.
The evening was finished off with an oppertunity to chat, browse over some photos and albums. It was a great evening, all too short in fact. Many friendships were renewed and some new ones made. Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves.When we left the building we discovered Aberdeen was in the middle of the worst thunder storm it has seen for many years. An explosive end to our anniversary night for some of us watching the lightening spiking its way across the City.
On Sunday we had a Service of Thanksgiving in our Church at Mannofield to give thanks to God for our BB Company and for The Day of Pentecost. All Sections of the Company paraded along with all the ex-members and staff. We paraded our Colours, brought into church by 2 Captains of the 44th and escorted by 2 of the Senior NCO's. The Service opened with the childrens address on the theme of 'Badges and Seals' and the BB Hymn "Will Your Anchor Hold". The lessons from Old & New Testaments were given by Sgt Andrew Harper and Sgt Bruce Davidson. A very short gymnastic display over the vaulting horse was used in the Sermon to illustrate the role of God's Spirit in our lives today and in the Boys' Brigade in particular. The servce closed with "Now Thank We All Our God", the Benediction and the marching out of the Colours. |
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| Captain John Allan Retires (1999) |
After 54 years in the 44th Coy. Captain John Allan retired at the end of summer 1999. He has been the longest serving Captain since the Company was founded in 1907 and I am delighted & honoured to be taking over from him as Captain to become the 10th Captain of the 44th at Mannofield. Find out what presentations we made to John and what happened at the May 1999 Open Night.
Dave Tait
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| More to come soon..... |
