The Boys Brigade in Juniper Green

Bert Porteous in his BB uniform some time in the 1920s

The first company were called Be cheerful! In 1907 the Juniper Green United Free Church began a Boys Brigade Company, (the 59th Edinburgh) which struggled to exist during the First World War, finally joining with the 53rd (Colinton) Company in 1917. It is recorded that in 1910 they had a flute band, and many boys walked up to 3 miles, regardless of weather, to attend Drill and Bible Class and in 1913, 56 boys out of a total of 68 marched 9 miles to the Battalion Parade through snow and slush. The joint Company, whose motto was "Be cheerful" finally ceased in 1930.

The new company from 1981

After a break of 64 years, a new Company was formed in Juniper Green in 1981, the 42nd Edinburgh, with Charles Fisher as Captain. From seven boys at the first meeting the company grew rapidly to 46 by May 1982.

The Company Section at a BB picnic at Heriot-Watt University in 1982 or 1983:
Back row: Neil Crawford, Charles Fisher, Robert Glazier, John Glazier, Jim Webber and Ross Baillie;
Middle row: Neil Sharry, Scott Paisley, unknown, John Rodgers;
Front Row: David Godon, Bruce Murray, unknown, unknown

The early years of the 42nd

In 1982 the first Queen's Badge was presented to Staff Sgt. Neill Crawford, at the first Annual Inspection. The Inspecting Officer was Mr N S McIntyre, West District President, the Captain was Mr C Fisher with the Chaplain Rev G Cameron; the Lieutenants were Mr R Baillie and Mr A Brown with Warrant Officers Mr J Webber and Mr J Adam; the Staff Sgt was Mr N Crawford with helpers Mrs M Rhynas, Mrs A Lawson, Mrs J Sclater, Mrs M Woodrow and Mrs M Adam and Treasurer Miss J Gibling.

42nd BB Anchor Boys 1982

On 23rd June 1982 Junior Section Boy Allan Dunn was killed in a road accident. His parents presented a trophy in his memory to be presented to the Junior Section Boy who tried hardest each year.

2nd July 1983 saw a Royal Revue in Holyrood Park.

In 1985 there was the First Junior Section (riotous) weekend away at Nine mile burn. Junior Section Boys collected packets of soup for the Edinburgh City Mission's Soup Kitchen for homeless men.

42nd BB Junior section Football team at Curriehill Playing fields about 1984

1986 was the Boys' Brigade Centenary Year: a momentous year.

Instead of buying new colours £250 was donated from company funds to the Glasgow Battalion's Centenary Project for Gartnavel Hospital and £250 to Graysmill School. Second hand colours were offered from the disbanded 170th Glasgow company. After re-furbishing and re-numbering they were re-dedicated at Juniper Green Parish Church on 28th April 1986.

May 1986 James Webber was appointed Captain of the 42nd, following the death of Charles Fisher in March.

Company activities included various sporting challenges, summer camps, at various places including Craggan, Kinloch Rannoch and Kirkconnel, where we had a connection with their Company, through their Chaplain, the Rev Harold Mudaliar, previously a Probationer at Juniper Green.

42nd BB Junior Section photograph on an evening outing on the hill beside Torphin Quarry in 1988

31st July 1990 Due to lack of helpers the 42nd Edinburgh Boys Brigade closed. The boys were given the choice of joining either of the other local Companies.