Boys' Brigade Centenary Badge, 1983, worn by Capt. Powell of the 14th Cardiff Company of the Boys' Brigade, donated to Cardiff Story Museum in 2011

Description

[Researched and compiled by the VCS Chronicle project.]

This Boys' Brigade Centenary Badge, dated 1983, was worn by Capt. Powell of the 14th Cardiff Company of the Boys' Brigade and later the 22nd Cardiff Company. It is a circular metal badge with a black background, a blue border and gold coloured lettering and anchor symbol in the centre. The name of the badge is written in gold lettering around the border. The Boys' Brigade initials and motto are written in gold lettering across the anchor in the centre of the badge: “CENTENARY”, “THE BOYS' BRIGADE”, “B B 83”, “SURE & STEDFAST”.

Gordon Powell joined the Boys' Brigade in 1929 aged 12 (the minimum age to join) and stayed until the war broke and he went off to fight. After the War he joined the 22nd Company and stayed there for 34 years until he was 65. He was the captain who oversaw everything. The boys would meet on a Friday and Sunday morning. His son rose through the ranks and became an Officer.

The Boys' Brigade (BB) is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation, founded by Sir William Alexander Smith in Glasgow in 1883. The Object of The Boys’ Brigade is: “The advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness” and the Boys’ Brigade Motto is: “Sure & Steadfast [previously Stedfast]”. The motto is taken from the bible, the book of Hebrews, Chapter 6, Verse 19. (https://boys-brigade.org.uk/scotland/who-we-are/, accessed 7/12/17.)

“The Boys’ Brigade is dependent on over 13,000 volunteer leaders who come from all walks of life to share their time, skills, passion and faith. Many of our leaders come from within the Church family of which the Company is a part and see the work within BB as a practical expression of their Christian witness.” (https://boys-brigade.org.uk/what-we-do/, accessed 7/12/17.)

For a history of the Boys’ Brigade see https://boys-brigade.org.uk/our-history/.

Cardiff Story Museum, CARCM:2011.279.6
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