Company & Seniors Uniform

The Boys’ first uniform was always worn over ordinary clothing of the day.

The Boys’ Brigade started on the 4th October 1883 and by the first Inspection in March 1884 the uniform consisted of a red ribbon rosette, worn in the buttonhole and made by William Smith’s wife.

By 1885, a soft Forage Cap (Pillbox) with two rings of white braid was introduced. A belt was introduced in the 1^st Glasgow Company made of brown leather with an "S" shaped buckle. This was worn with a large single strapped white duck haversack (for lunch on excursions only), later adapted for parade uniform. (Worn folded when not in use.) As more companies were formed a silvery metal one-inch number was also introduced on the Cap with the company number and a more robust (stiff) cap introduced. This uniform was to serve the BB with a few alterations for the next 120 years.

The traditional brown leather and brass buckle boys’ belt was introduced around 1885/86, which was destined to stay the same through the 20^th century, the only modification being that of the cross added behind the anchor on the buckle emblem after union with the BLB. In the early 1900s a chin strap and one inch button was added on top of the pillbox. This button was later changed to 3/4" inch.

In 1909, a special uniform for Boys’ Brigade Scouts was introduced. This consisted of a Scouts’ hat, light brown in colour, with embroidered oval Brigade Crest on the front, a Scout knapsack, and regulation Brigade belt. An optional Scouts’ shirt, navy blue, was also worn. This uniform was only worn by BB Scouts and was discontinued in 1927.

A Buttonhole Badge was introduced in 1911 but this was only for use when out of uniform. By 1921 this Buttonhole Badge could be worn with uniform at the discretion of the Company Captain.

Upon union with the BLB in 1926, the anchor badge now had the cross behind but at this time various uniforms were being worn. This resulted in two official uniforms being used at this transitional time - these were called uniforms "A", "B", and later a "C" option.

The "A" Uniform

The tradition BB Uniform accoutrements of pillbox cap, brown belt and haversack worn over ordinary clothing of the day.

The "B" Uniform

The cap was the old BLB field-service cap with new star shaped badge. Black belts with BB crest, and haversacks. Some former BLB full uniform companies continued to wear the new "B" uniform cap badge and belt with the full uniform introduced in 1918. This was worn until a similar full uniform was introduced for the BB in 1930. In 1929 the "B" uniform cap was changed to include two rows of white braid, however companies which had been wearing the "B" uniform caps since 1926 were not obliged to change. These ex-BLB Comapnies continued to wear the BLB cap with one row of magenta braid until c.1946 – this was officially known as the "C" Uniform.

In 1930 an optional full uniform was adopted by the whole Brigade with the following changes: Tie now royal blue, shirt now plain navy blue, no piping. Stockings: black with two white rings. Shoulder titles and numerals with royal blue lettering. Belt black or brown, this uniform remained in use until the 1980s in some areas.

In 1963 an "Optional Full Uniform" was introduced this consisted of navy blue shirt, white lanyard, royal blue tie with either navy blue shorts or long trousers for Seniors. The shirt had Brigade Titles sewn on at top of the sleeve and this was worn with either the "pillbox" Forage or Field Service Cap, waist belt and haversack.

In 1967 Boys in Senior Sections wore the Staff/Sergeants Cap and two lapel badges to match cap badge. These were worn over ordinary clothing, but preferably a dark blue suit with white shirt and black tie, or the 1963 Full Uniform, less haversack. With this no badges or designation of rank was worn.

The new "Field Service" hat was introduced in 1970. It was made of blue terylene and cotton and a new chrome plated BB Hat badge with red plastic surround for Company Section Boys and Blue for Seniors. Numerals to signify the company number were attached on the lower part of this surround.

In 1982 "Ordinary clothing" was defined as dark blue or black jacket, plain dark blue or plain dark grey trousers, white shirt, black tie, navy blue socks and black shoes.

Company Section uniform is undergoing radical change - Boys’ Brigade uniform is currently in a transition period between this uniform and a new uniform. A new uniform was approved at Brigade Council in 1999 and although many companies have changed over others are still using the older uniform, by 2006 all members will have to wear the new uniform.

The new uniform is a navy blue Boys’ Brigade sweatshirt and either a blue Boys’ Brigade polo shirt or navy blue Boys’ Brigade shirt with Boys’ Brigade tie and plain dark trousers with a black leather belt with chrome Boys’ Brigade buckle and plain dark footwear. An arm band worn on the right arm above the elbow upon which awards gained, a tape showing the company name. At the option of the relevant officer, boys may wear the hat with hat badges and surrounds of the 1970-2000 uniform.

Non- Commissioned Officers (NCO's)

Lance-Corporals and Corporals
Originally, in the 1^st Glasgow Coy, chevrons of silver braid were worn on the front of the pillbox caps to denote NCO rank. Later, uniform was as for the Private with the addition of stripes worn on the right arm. A one-barred chevron for the Lance-Corporal and a two-barred chevron for the Corporal.

Sergeants
From 1886 uniform was as for the Private with the addition of a three-barred chevron worn on the right arm plus a cap with straight peak and three rows of white braid. A brown leather shoulder-belt with pouch and regulation brass bosses on breast and pouch. Later the Company number was added to the cap, the rows of braid reduced to two and like the pillbox a button was added to the top.

After the union with the BLB, in 1926, an alternative Sergeants’ uniform was worn with a Red Sash instead of the leather cross-belt and special Field- Service Cap with two rows of white braid and two silver buttons on the front, instead of the peaked cap.

In the 1880s stripes were originally made of half inch silver braid but changed to 1/4 inch white braid around 1897. In 1933 the Alternative Field Service Cap (for use in "B" uniform Companies) had two rows white braid and two silver buttons on front. The change of hats in 1970 meant Sergeants would use the same hat as the boys.

Colour Sergeants
From 1888, Colour Sergeants wore the same uniform as Sergeants with the addition of woven Cross Flags in the ‘V’ of the chevron. This remained until the rank was discontinued in 1981.

Staff Sergeants - Men

Staff Sergeants were introduced into the BB in 1898 and they wore a Field Service Cap with one row white braid round top edges, two black buttons on the front and an Anchor Badge. Company numbers worn on cap from 1924 at the Battalion discretion. A white braided four barred reverse chevron was worn on the right cuff and a short brown military style cane carried. Proficiency awards earned during past service in the Company could also be worn in the normal place.

A shoulder belt, brown for "A" uniform companies and black for "B" uniform companies was also approved, similar to the Sergeants but 2½ inches wide with mountings in white metal. S/Sgt’s also wore white cotton gloves.

After union in 1926, caps with white or magenta piping could be worn, as by the boys of their company. In 1970 the new boys’ hat replaced other types worn with badge only and no plastic surround or numerals.

Staff Sergeants - Women

From 1967, women Staff Sergeants wore the Lady Officer’s Uniform without Collar Badges, and with the Men Staff Sergeants’ Cap Badge, and in 1970 as for the Lady Lieutenants but without breast pocket badge. In 1984 they changed to a boys’ cap badge without surround or numerals.

Boys’ Brigade uniform is currently in a transition period between this uniform and a new uniform. The new uniform was approved at Brigade Council in 1999 and although many companies have changed over, others are still using the older uniform. By 2006, all members will have to wear the new uniform.

The new uniform for Lance/Corporals, Corporals, Sergeants and Staff/Sergeants (Men &Women) is similar to the boys uniform with a navy blue Boys’ Brigade sweatshirt and either a blue Boys’ Brigade polo shirt or navy blue Boys’ Brigade shirt with Boys’ Brigade tie and plain dark trousers (or a plain dark skirt option for Women S/Sgt) with a black leather belt with chrome Boys’ Brigade buckle and plain dark footwear. An arm band worn on the right arm above the elbow upon which awards gained, a tape showing the company name and the appropriate new metal enamelled badge with either one, two or three stripes worn at the bottom in a "V" formation or a four-barred metal chevron badge worn at the bottom of the armband with its point upwards to show the N.C.O. rank.

At the option of the relevant officer, boys may wear the hat with hat badges and surrounds of the 1970-2000 uniform.