Boys' Brigade in Singapore

The Boys' Brigade in Singapore is a youth uniformed group and part of the global Boys' Brigade movement which has been present in Singapore since 1930. It currently consists of over 700 officers and 6,300 Boys in over 116 companies. The current Brigade President is Patrick Koh Ley Boon and the Honorary President is Lieutenant-General (Ret) Winston Choo, the former Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces.

The Boys' Brigade in Singapore
AbbreviationBB
Founded1930 (1930)
TypeNon-profit organisation
Legal statusActive
Purpose“To nurture Youth, based on Christian values to serve and lead”
HeadquartersSingapore
Location
  • Singapore
Membership (2020)
~6300
Official language
English
Founder
James Milner Fraser
President
Patrick Koh Ley Boon
Websitewww.bb.org.sg

The President of Singapore is the Patron of the Boys' Brigade in Singapore.

History
The Boys' Brigade's former Campus at 105 Ganges Avenue

The Boys' Brigade was introduced to Singapore by James Milner Fraser, an architect from Britain. He was a former member of the 23rd Aberdeen and the 23rd London Companies.

On 12 January 1930, Fraser started the 1st Singapore Company at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. With the aid of ex-Sergeant Quek Eng Moh of the 1st Swatow Company, he assembled 12 local Boys to form the company.

In August 1930, when the company was officially enrolled at the Boys' Brigade Headquarters in London, the membership consisted of 40 youths. The company chaplain was Reverend William Murray and Fraser's lieutenants were John McNeish (formerly of 76th Glasgow) and Dong Chui Sing. Bible class, drill, concerts, wayfaring, signalling, first aid, swimming, fencing, tumbling and other forms of physical recreation formed the core of the Boys' Brigade syllabus.

In 1931, the first camp was held at the Singapore Volunteer Camp at Siglap.

The 2nd Singapore Company was formed at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church in February 1931.

By 1936, the Singapore Battalion had 200 members. The 3rd Singapore Company was founded in 1933 at the Anglo-Chinese Continuation School. In 1934, the 5th Singapore Company was founded at Choon Guan Presbyterian Boys School, the 4th Company at Geylang Methodist Church, and the 6th Singapore at Paya Lebar Methodist Church.

The Battalion Colors were presented to the battalion by Frank Cooper Sands[1](former brigade chairman of the Singapore Officers' Council[2] and later an honorary vice-president of the Battalion[3]) in 1936 and the drill competition was introduced. Fraser served as the Battalion President from 1936 to 1956. In 1940, he handed the captaincy of the 1st Singapore Company over to one of his Boys, S. P. Chua.

During the war years of 1942 to 1945, the Brigade's activities were suspended. The Battalion destroyed its Colors to avoid destruction in the war, but some of the drums were stored in a room at Prinsep Headquarters.

After the war, S. P. Chua revived the 1st Singapore Company. By 1950, the Battalion membership had reached its pre-war membership.

By 1968, there were 28 companies in Singapore. In 1971, the President of the Republic of Singapore became the Battalion's Patron.

As the Brigade approached its 85th Anniversary in 2015, it conducted its first Trooping of Colours parade and reunion dinner in over a decade with the then Education Minister Heng Swee Keat as the Guest-of-Honor.

Organisation

Headquarters

A list of honorary office-bearers include:

PositionBearer
PatronMr Tharman Shanmugaratnam
President of the Republic of Singapore
Honorary PresidentLG (Ret) Winston Choo Wee Leong
Honorary Vice-Presidents (Clerical)Bishop Dr Titus Chung (Anglican)
Bishop Lu Guan Hoe (Lutheran)
Bishop Dr Gordon Wong (Methodist)
Rev Dr Christopher Chia (Presbyterian)
Honorary Vice-Presidents (Lay)Dr Lee Soo Ann, PBM
Mr Sam Tan Boon Yeow, PBM
Mr Peter Tay Yew Beng
Mr Peter Foo Chien Ho, PBM
Mr Choo Gim Kang
Mr Tan Kok Heng, PPA,PP,PBS
Dr Ho Yew Kee
Mr Poh Leong Berg

The Brigade Executive

The Brigade Executive is the decision making body of The Boys Brigade. In January 2007, the Brigade implemented the Cluster Structure and grouped the BB Companies into 10 clusters with an average of 10 to 15 Companies in each cluster. These clusters are similar to the school clusters of the Ministry of Education.

PositionBearer
Brigade PresidentMr Patrick Koh Ley Boon
Vice-PresidentsMr Timothy Tan Jiat Meng
Ps Daniel Lim
Dr Andrew Yong
Mr Oliver Loke Jia Wen
Brigade SecretaryMr Wilson Tan
Assistant Brigade SecretaryMr Samuel Bey
Brigade TreasurerMr Chong Loi Foong
Brigade ChaplainRev Daniel Tong
Associate Brigade ChaplainRev Dr Chao Wee Chun Bernard
Standing Committees ChairmenMr Liu Lijia (Juniors Programme)
Ms Philisa Neo (Seniors Programme)
Mr Kenneth Cheng Zemin (Primers Programme)
Mr Daryl Tan Jinn Wen (Training)
Mr Alex Lum Kah Heng (Activities)
Mr Lim Choo Siang (Facilities)
Cluster RepresentativesRev Daniel Tay Ban Hong (North 1)
Mr Lewis Poh Yu Gui (North 2)
Ms May Seah Yi (North 3)
Mr Daryl Chen Wei Ming (South 1)
Mr Gerard Su Jin Song (South 2)
Mr Low Jian Xin (East 1)
Mr Andy Chua Kok Huang (East 2)
Mr Gabriel Leng Chengda (West 1)
Mr David Oh Tai Wai (West 2)
Ms Avery Ho Yi Ling (West 3)
Executive DirectorMr Desmond Koh

The Brigade Office

The Brigade Office implements the strategic plans developed by the Brigade Executive.

PositionBearer
Executive DirectorMr Desmond Koh
Deputy DirectorMs Ang Hui Leng

Companies

Each BB company is managed by a partnership of members from the sponsoring church and the school where the company is based, if present. They are led by the Chaplain and Captain from the church, and typically assisted by a team of Teachers-in-Charge of the school. Assisting them are Officers, Primers and other VALs either from the church, from other churches or as former members of the Company.

BB Companies are identified by a unique number, with an exception of companies catered for the Primers Programme. In general, the smaller the number is, the earlier the company was founded. For example, the 1st Singapore Company has the longest history in Singapore. While this is true for most companies, the same cannot be said for certain companies as the number was "recycled" (especially in the 1980s and early 1990s). The majority of the companies are catered for the Seniors Programme. Companies with a "J" indicate the Juniors Programme. Every company also has a sponsoring school where new boys are recruited annually, and weekly parades are held.

The BB companies in Singapore are divided into 10 clusters – North 1, North 2, North 3, East 1, East 2, South 1, South 2, West 1, West 2 and West 3. Each company is categorised into the appropriate cluster based on its geographical location on Singapore island.

Company Sponsoring Church Sponsoring School Status
1st Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church Yusof Ishak Secondary School Active
1J Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church Pioneer Primary School Active
2nd Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Victoria School Active
3J Wesley Methodist Church Stamford Primary School Defunct
4th Faith Community Baptist Church Whitley Secondary School Active
5J Living Praise Presbyterian Church Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School Active
5th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School Active
7J Church of the Ascension St Andrew's Junior School Active
7th Chapel of the Holy Spirit St Andrew's Secondary School Active
8J Fairfield Methodist Church Radin Mas Primary School Active
9th Church of the Good Shepherd Westwood Secondary School Active
10th Toa Payoh Methodist Church Beatty Secondary School Active
11th Light of Christ Church Woodlands Christ Church Secondary School Active
12BRJ Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) Active
12BR Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Active
12J Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) Active
12I Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Active
13th Glory Joy Christian Church Sembawang Secondary School Active
14th All Saints' Church (English Congregation) Anglican High School Active
15J St John's - St Margaret's Church Henry Park Primary School Defunct
16J Chen Li Presbyterian Church Kong Hwa School Defunct
17J Charis Methodist Church Junyuan Primary School Defunct
17th Charis Methodist Church Loyang View Secondary School Active
18th City Missions Church Northland Secondary School Defunct
19th Yishun Christian Church (Lutheran) Yishun Town Secondary School Active
20J Changi Methodist Church Greendale Primary School Active
21J Christalite Methodist Chapel Geylang Methodist School (Primary) Active
21st Christalite Methodist Chapel Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) Active
22J Yishun Christian Church (Anglican) Anderson Primary School Active
23rd Pentecost Methodist Church Springfield Secondary School Active
24J St John's - St. Margaret's Church Fuhua Primary School Active
25th Faith Methodist Church Hillgrove Secondary School Active
26th Chapel of the Resurrection Tanglin Secondary School Defunct
27th Ang Mo Kio Presbyterian Church Presbyterian High School Active
28J Jurong Christian Church Shuqun Primary School Active
28th Jurong Christian Church Yuhua Secondary School Active
29J Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Mayflower Primary School Active
31st Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church Bowen Secondary School Active
32nd Bedok Lutheran Church Damai Secondary School Defunct
33J Aldersgate Methodist Church Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) Active
33rd Aldersgate Methodist Church Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) Active
34th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Marsiling Secondary School Active
35J Fairfield Methodist Church Zhangde Primary School Active
36th Century Christian Fellowship Compassvale Secondary School Active
37th Faith Community Baptist Church Hougang Secondary School Active
38J S-Word Evangelical Free Church Keming Primary School Active
39th Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church Swiss Cottage Secondary School Active
40th Bedok Methodist Church Changkat Changi Secondary School Active
41J Faith Community Baptist Church Tao Nan School Active
42J Adam Road Presbyterian Church Nanyang Primary School Active
43rd Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Yishun Secondary School Active
44th Woodlands Evangelical Free Church Fuchun Secondary School Active
45th Bethesda (Serangoon) Church Xinmin Secondary School Active
46th Geylang Evangelical Free Church Junyuan Secondary School Active
47th Trinity Methodist Church Serangoon Garden Secondary School Active
48th Bethel Presbyterian Church Zhonghua Secondary School Active
49J Chapel of Christ the Redeemer St Hilda's Primary School Active
49th Chapel of Christ the Redeemer St Hilda's Secondary School Active
50th Fairfield Methodist Church Gan Eng Seng School Active
51st Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Mayflower Secondary School Defunct
52J St John's Chapel Pei Tong Primary School Active
53rd Impact Life Church Bukit Batok Secondary School Active
54th Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Dunearn Secondary School Defunct
55J Bethesda Community Fengshan Primary School Active
56J Glory Presbyterian Church (English) Bukit Timah Primary School Active
57J Glory Presbyterian Church (English) Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School Active
58th New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Riverside Secondary School Active
59J St John's Chapel Greenridge Primary School Active
60th Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Raffles Institution Active
61st Church of Our Saviour Queensway Secondary School Active
62nd Yishun Methodist Mission Orchid Park Secondary School Active
63rd Mount Hermon Bible-Presbyterian Church Kranji Secondary School Defunct
64th St John's Chapel Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Active
65th Faith Community Baptist Church Hong Kah Secondary School Defunct
66th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Woodlands Secondary School Active
67J Church of the Good Shepherd Queenstown Primary School Active
68J St. Paul's Church Open Unit Defunct
69J The People's Bible Church Xinghua Primary School Active
70th Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel Fajar Secondary School Active
71J S-Word Evangelical Free Church South View Primary School Active
72nd Bethesda Community Bedok North Secondary School Defunct
73rd Faith Community Baptist Church Bukit View Secondary School Active
74th The Bible Church, Singapore Kent Ridge Secondary School Active
75J Paya Lebar Methodist Church Punggol Primary School Active
76J Toa Payoh Methodist Church First Toa Payoh Primary School Active
77th S-Word Evangelical Free Church Teck Whye Secondary School Active
78J Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church Yew Tee Primary School Active
79th St John's-St Margaret's Church Henderson Secondary School Defunct
80J Covenant Presbyterian Church Farrer Park Primary School Active
81J St Andrew's Cathedral Townsville Primary School Active
82nd City Harvest Church Boon Lay Secondary School Active
83J Faith Sanctuary Cedar Primary School Active
84th Impact Life Church Unity Secondary School Active
85th Faith Community Baptist Church Jurong West Secondary School Active
86th Faith Community Baptist Church Jurongville Secondary School Active
87th Yishun Methodist Mission Northbrooks Secondary School Active
88J Yishun Methodist Mission Naval Base Primary School Active
89J Bethesda Church Bukit Arang Jiemin Primary School Defunct
90J Bukit Batok Presbyterian Church Princess Elizabeth Primary School Active
91st Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel Regent Secondary School Active
92nd Chapel of the Resurrection Outram Secondary School Defunct
93rd Living Sanctuary Brethren Church Yuying Secondary School Active
94th True Way Presbyterian Church (English) Nan Hua High School Active
95J Westside Anglican Church West Grove Primary School Active
96J Revival Centre Church Bendemeer Primary School Defunct
97th Bedok Methodist Church Bedok South Secondary School Defunct
98th True Grace Presbyterian Church Grace Orchard School Active
99th Faith Community Baptist Church Canberra Secondary School Active
100J Tai Seng Christian Church North Vista Primary School Active
101st Paya Lebar Methodist Church Open Unit Defunct
102J St Andrew's Cathedral North View Primary School Active
103rd Bedok Methodist Church Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School Defunct
106J St Andrew's Cathedral Gan Eng Seng Primary School Active
107J S-Word Evangelical Free Church Westwood Primary School Active
108th Faith Community Baptist Church Furen International School Active
ACJC Primers Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese Junior College Active
NP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Ngee Ann Polytechnic Active
NYP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Nanyang Polytechnic Active
SP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Singapore Polytechnic Active
Furen Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Furen International School Active
FGA Primers Full Gospel Assembly Open Unit Active
ITECC Primers Full Gospel Assembly ITE College Central Active
ITECE Primers Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church ITE College East Active
ITECW Primers Good Gifts City Church ITE College West Active
HQ Primers - - Active

Programmes

There are four programmes for different age groups:

  • Explorers Programme - 3 to 6 years old (Kindergarten)
  • Juniors Programme – 8 to 11 years old (Primary 3 to Primary 6)
  • Seniors Programme – 12 to 16 years old (Secondary 1 to Secondary 4 or 5)
  • Primers Programme – 17 to 19 years (Post-Secondary, Junior Colleges/Polytechnics/Institutes of Technical Education, girls are eligible to enrol in this programme)

Ranks

Boys
The ranks in the Seniors Programme include:

Primers
This ranks attainable by Primers include:

  • Cadet Lieutenant (CLT)
  • Senior Cadet Lieutenant (SCL)

Officers
This ranks attainable by Officers include:

Uniforms

Juniors' Programme

There are three different dress codes for the Juniors' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Day Dress, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Seniors' Programme

There are five different dress codes for the Seniors' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Ceremonial Dress, the Day Dress, the Musketry, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Primers

There are four different dress codes for the Primers' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Ceremonial Dress, the Day Dress, the Musketry and the Fatigue Dress.

Officers

There are six different dress codes for BB Officers for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Ceremonial Dress, the Function Dress, the Day Dress, the Musketry, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Badges and awards

Juniors' Programme
BadgeProgramme
JP Gold AwardJuniors
White Achievement BadgeJuniors
Green Achievement BadgeJuniors
Purple Achievement BadgeJuniors
Blue Achievement BadgeJuniors
Red Achievement BadgeJuniors
Silver Achievement BadgeJuniors
Junior One Year ServiceJuniors
Junior Three Year ServiceJuniors

Seniors' Programme
Badge/AwardTypeStages
AdventureCore3
Anti Drug Abuse (SANA)Elective1
ArtsElective3
AthleticsElective3
Bandsman'sElective3
Bugler'sElective3
Christian EducationCore3
CitizenshipCore3
Civil Defense (Fireman)Elective1
Community ServiceCore3
CraftsElective3
DrillCore3
Drummer'sElective3
EnvironmentalistElective3
First AidCore3
GymnasticsElective3
HeritageElective1
HobbiesElective3
International RelationsElective3
KayakingElective3
LifeskillsCore2
MusketryElective3
Naturalist'sElective3
NCO StarCore2
Piper'sElective3
SailingElective3
Sportsman'sElective3
SwimmingElective3
TargetCore1
Juniors Programme LinkService1
Total DefenceSpecial3
One Year ServiceService
Three Year ServiceService
Long Year ServiceService
Founder's AwardSpecial
Cross For HeroismSpecial
Senior Proficiency AwardSpecial
Intermediary Proficiency AwardSpecial
National EventSpecial
Best Boy AwardSpecial

Primers' Programme
Badge/AwardType
Anchors AwardSpecial
Long Year ServiceService
President AwardSpecial

Community

The Boys' Brigade in Singapore aims to play an active role in contributing to society, and to inculcate these values to the Boys.[4]

BB CARES

BB CARES, which stands for Community Activities Rallying Everyone to Serve involved BB companies organising activities to benefit welfare organisations of their choice. It is one of the events as part of the annual President's Challenge event.

Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift

The Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG), previously known as The Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box, is a major annual event held during the Christmas period whereby more than 3,500 BB Officers and Boys, along with volunteers from other various groups, are mobilised to help collect gifts such as food and beverages from people and distribute these items to the needy in Singapore. These beneficiaries include the disabled, welfare homes, the elderly, and low-income families. There are also wishes from the beneficiaries that people can help to fulfill with, such as those requesting for food or household items, or toys and mattresses from children or the elderly.

Since the BBSG was started in 1988, it has been largely successful and has received great support from Singaporeans who have generously donated gifts over the years. From around 7,000 gifts collected in 1988, it has collected 428,000[5] gifts in 2006. Although the project did not meet its target donation by the close of the project on some occasions,[6][7] the public would often continue to donate such that target was achieved within the next few weeks.[8] In the last fifteen years, the BB has been working hand in hand with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).

On 7 July 2013, the Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) project was conferred the Singapore Youth Award Medal of Commendation. BBSG was recognised for achieving, contributing and inspiring youths at significantly higher levels after being awarded the Singapore Youth Award in 2004.

Boys' Brigade Learning Centre

The Boys' Brigade Learning Centre (BBLC) is an educational facility built and maintained by the Boys' Brigade in Proyouth Village, Puok Commune, Cambodia.

Notable alumni
  • Chua Siak Phuang – Last founding member of the first Boys' Brigade Company in Singapore who died in 2010.
  • Winston Choo - First Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces from 1974–1992 and held the rank of Lieutenant-General.
  • RADM Aaron Beng Yao Cheng - Singapore Chief of Navy and upcoming 11th Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces on 24 March 2023.
  • Andie Chen - Singaporean Actor, former BB Boy from 26th Company, Tanglin Secondary.
  • Chiam See Tong - former Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Potong Pasir SMC.
  • Khoo Boon Hui[9] - former Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force.

See also

References
  1. "COLOURS FOR BOYS' BRIGADE".
  2. "THE BOYS' BRIGADE IN SINGAPORE".
  3. "BOYS BRIGADE ON PARADE".
  4. "Channelnewsasia.com". Archived from the original on 30 June 2007.
  5. BB Sharity Gift Box exceeds target of food, household items for needy, CNA (20 December 2006). Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  6. Sharity Gift Box falls short of annual target, appeals for more donations, CNA (22 December 2007). Retrieved on 13 January 2008.
  7. Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box 35% short of collection target, CNA (19 December 2008). Retrieved on 20 December 2008.
  8. Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box meets its target, CNA (9 January 2008). Retrieved on 9 January 2009.
  9. "80 years of the BB in Singapore". The Methodist Church in Singapore. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

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