Boys' Brigade in Singapore
The Boys' Brigade in Singapore is a youth uniformed group organisation which has been present in Singapore since 1930. It currently consists of over 700 officers and 6,300 Boys in over 116 companies. Its current Brigade President is Mr Poh Leong Berg and its Honorary President is Lieutenant-General Winston Choo, the former Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces. The Boys' Brigade in Singapore celebrated its 85th Anniversary in 2015 and has the distinguished honor of having the President of the Republic of Singapore as its Patron.
History
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.
Progress was slow initially, but by the time the company was officially enrolled at Brigade Headquarters in London, in August 1930, the membership had risen to 40. The company chaplain was Reverend William Murray and Fraser's lieutenants were John McNeish 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 the following year, the first camp was held at the Singapore Volunteer Camp at Siglap. A successful inspection was also held to bring the session to a close.
Extension soon followed, spearheaded by McNeish with the formation of the 2nd Singapore Company at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church in February 1931.
By 1936, the Singapore Battalion was 200-strong, with the 3rd Singapore started at the Anglo-Chinese Continuation School, the 5th Singapore at Choon Guan Presbyterian Boys School, 4th Singapore at Geylang Methodist Church and the 6th Singapore at Paya Lebar Methodist Church.
The Battalion Colors were presented to the battalion by F. C. Sands 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 over to one of his Boys, S. P. Chua.
During the war years of 1942 to 1945, The Boys' Brigade's activities were suspended. To avoid desecration, the prized Singapore Colors were destroyed, but some of the coveted drums were stored away in a room at Prinsep Headquarters.
After the war, S. P. Chua revived the 1st Singapore Company. He was joined immediately by Fraser and by 1950, the Battalion had regained its old strength.
By 1968, there were 28 companies in Singapore. In 1971, the Brigade had the distinguished honour of having the President of the Republic of Singapore as its 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:| Position | Bearer |
| Patron | Mdm Halimah Yacob President of the Republic of Singapore |
| Honorary President | LG Winston Choo Wee Leong |
| Honorary Vice-Presidents | Bishop Rennis Ponniah Bishop Terry Kee Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung Rev Dr Christopher Chia |
| Honorary Vice-Presidents | Dr Lee Soo Ann, PBM Mr Lee Liat Cheng, BBM 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 |
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.
| Position | Bearer |
| Brigade President | Mr Poh Leong Berg |
| Vice-Presidents | Mr Vincent Tan Mr Patrick Koh Mr Timothy Tan Mr Wilson Tan |
| Brigade Secretary | Mr Jason Lim |
| Assistant Brigade Secretary | - |
| Brigade Treasurer | Dr Yap Chee Meng |
| Brigade Chaplain | Rev Daniel Tong |
| Associate Brigade Chaplain | Rev Dr Malcolm Tan |
| Standing Committees Chairmen | Mr Liu Lijia Mr Daren Hoon Mr Ang Hoe Yong Mr Daryl Tan Mr Tony Tan Tuan Tiong Mr Peter Leong |
| Cluster Representatives | Mr Bay Qin Yao Mr Daniel Lim Mr Daniel Tay Mr Daryl Chen Mr Gerard Su Mr Low Jian Xin Ms Diana Thio Mr Gabriel Leng Mr David Oh Mr Edwin Lim |
| Executive Director | Mr Desmond Koh |
The Brigade Office
The Brigade Office implements the strategic plans developed by the Brigade Executive.
| Position | Bearer |
| Executive Director | Mr Desmond Koh |
| Deputy Director | Ms 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". 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 the Singapore island.
| Company | Sponsoring Church | Sponsoring School | Status |
| 1st | Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church | Pioneer Secondary School | Defunct |
| 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 | Active |
| 12BR | Barker Road Methodist Church | Anglo-Chinese School | Active |
| 12J | Barker Road Methodist Church | Anglo-Chinese School | Active |
| 12I | Barker Road Methodist Church | Anglo-Chinese School | Active |
| 13th | Glory Joy Christian Church | Sembawang Secondary School | Active |
| 14th | All Saints' Church | Anglican High School | Active |
| 15J | St John's - St Margaret's Church | Henry Park Primary School | Active |
| 16J | Chen Li Presbyterian Church | Kong Hwa School | Active |
| 17J | Charis Methodist Church | Junyuan Primary School | Active |
| 17th | Charis Methodist Church | Loyang View Secondary School | Active |
| 18th | City Missions Church | Northland Secondary School | Defunct |
| 19th | Yishun Christian Church | Yishun Town Secondary School | Active |
| 20J | Changi Methodist Church | Greendale Primary School | Active |
| 21J | Christalite Methodist Chapel | Geylang Methodist School | Active |
| 21st | Christalite Methodist Chapel | Geylang Methodist School | Active |
| 22J | Yishun Christian Church | 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 | Active |
| 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 |
| 29th | Bethesda Hall | Mayflower Primary School | Active |
| 31st | Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church | Bowen Secondary School | Active |
| 32nd | Bedok Lutheran Church | Damai Secondary School | Active |
| 33J | Aldersgate Methodist Church | Fairfield Methodist School | Active |
| 33rd | Aldersgate Methodist Church | Fairfield Methodist School | 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 | Bukit Batok Presbyterian 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 | Yishun Secondary School | Active |
| 44th | Woodlands Evangelical Free Church | Fuchun Secondary School | Active |
| 45th | Bethesda 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 | Mayflower Secondary School | Active |
| 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 | Bukit Timah Primary School | Active |
| 57J | Glory Presbyterian Church | 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 | Active |
| 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 | Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel | 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 | 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 | Active |
| 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 |
| HQ Primers | - | - | Active |
Ranks
BoysThe ranks in the Seniors Programme include:
Primers
This ranks attainable by Primers include:
- Cadet Lieutenant
- Senior Cadet Lieutenant
This ranks attainable by Officers include:
- Officer Cadet
- Second Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
Badges and awards
Juniors' Programme
Seniors' Programme
Primers' Programme
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 three different dress codes for the Primers' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, 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.Programmes
There are four programmes for different age groups:- Explorers Programme - 3 to 6 years old
- Juniors Programme – 8 to 11 years old
- Seniors Programme – 12 to 16 years old
- Primers Programme – 17 to 19 years
Community
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, 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 gifts in 2006. Although the project did not meet its target donation by the close of the project on some occasions, the public would often continue to donate such that target was achieved within the next few weeks. In the last fifteen years, the BB has been working hand in hand with the National Council of Social Service.
On 7 July 2013, the Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift 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 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.
- Jimmy Koh Chee Tat