FOUNDER OF THE BOYS' BRIGADE
As a boy, William Smith was educated at the Miller Institution, known as the “Thurso Academy” but following his father's death on a Business trip to China in 1867, his family moved to Glasgow.
In early January 1868, William Smith became a pupil in a private school, The Western Educational Institution, more widely known as “Burns’ and Sutherland’s School”. In his first and only term there, he took seven prizes. His time in the institution was short-lived as he ended his school days late at the age of 14. Nonetheless, Smith did not cease his education altogether.
In October 1869, a few days before he became fifteen, William Smith joined the Family firm Alex. Fraser & Co as a Junior Clerk. Alex. Fraser & Co. were wholesale dealers in “soft goods”, and Shawls being one of the principle lines of which South America was their Chief markets.
In 1872, when he began to make choice about life, he joined the 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers. Few months later he met Amelia Pearson Sutherland, 16 years old daughter of a Presbyterian Minister who sang sweetly in the choir. Not quite long after joining the choir because of her, he finally won her heart but because of her youthful age her mother Mrs. Sutherland would not consent to an engagement but though the consummation of his hope was long delayed his mind was made up. He applied himself with diligence to the things to which he had set his hand.
Same year he joined the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association and attended lectures of which two were given by H.M. Stanley, the famous African explorer.
In 1873, the mass military activity of the time was absolutely part of his culture and was promoted from the Private to a Lance Corporal.
On 12th February 1874, he heard of the American Evangelists; Moody and Sankey for the first time and 12th April he joined the Free College Presbyterian Church. The Church took him into the Mission Sunday School as a Teacher and later became Secretary. During this period he set up a branch of YCMA in his own Church with the encouragement of the Minister. As part of his continual studies he attended French class in the same year.
In 1883, Williams was promoted to Lieutenant in the Volunteers. The same year while he was taking classes of Sunday morning Boys became rowdy and difficult to control as there was no settling down to learn the Word of God, then the idea of forming up an organization that will make him have total control of young Boys and make them settle down to learn struck him mind. He discussed the idea with his two friends and boom! Boys’ Brigade was formed after series of planning and coining of programmes on 4th October, 1883.
In March, 1884 Williams Alexander Smith married Amelia Pearson Sutherland and the partnership was vital in the development of the Boys’ Brigade, in 1885 he convened the first Council of the Boys’ Brigade.
In 1887, he welcomed his first son George Stanley Smith and in 188 he gave up any significant involvement in his business to work full time as Secretary of the Boys’ Brigade Council which on two occasions he crossed the Atlantic Ocean to visit and promote the Boys’ Brigade in Canada and The United State of America.
As Brigade Secretary, Williams Smith kept an eye on everything concerning the Boy’s Brigade up and down the world, and his daily correspondence tray showed it. Liverpool’s report was a model of lucidity and order and they were particularly good at Ambulance work. Ayr Battalion was commended for its splendid Annual Flower show. Manchester excelled all other Battalions with their Summer camp. The most successful Bible class was noted in Hull. Progressing excellently was West Kent. 1st Newport sent him a Photograph of the Company in all the glory of their Camp sunhats which he enjoyed and printed in the Boys’ Brigade Gazette. Nottingham Battalion produced the splendid Boys’ Brigade Hymn; Underneath the Banner of the Boys’ Brigade. Edinburgh Battalion had two irregularities to be noted in the way of accoutrements; Red edging on NCOs’ stripes and special Band caps. Cardiff had five Vice Presidents and Carlisle had six while the Brigade Constitution provided for only one, “Study the Manual and obey the Rule” said Williams. On his visit to America at the cordial invitation of General H.P. Bope, Commander in Chief of the United Boys’ Brigade of America, he met the then President of United state; Theodore Roosevelt who thanked him for all he had done for Boys’ throughout the world.
In 1890, Douglas Pearson Smith was born. In 1898 Amelia Smith died. Williams was made Lieutenant – Colonel (Second in command) in 1905 and in 1906 he remarried Hannah Smith.
In July 1909, during a Camping by 1st Glasgow Company at Tighnabruaich in the Kyles of Bute, Captain Smith quietly left the Camp ground and travel overnight to London and on Thursday, he was Knighted by His Majesty, King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace for his tireless service to Boys all over the world. On Friday Morning, he was welcomed tumultuously by his Boys.
The Albert Hall Demonstration was the highlight of the Boys’ Brigade year. Sir Williams Smith was there on Thursday 7th May, 1914 with a Royal Chairman His Serene Highness, Prince Alexander of Teck and the great building was packed with Boys, Parent and Friends of the Boys’ Brigade. On Friday 8th May, 1914 he took ill at a meeting of the Boys’ Brigade Executives in the London Office and could not regain consciousness. He was rushed to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. On Sunday 10th May 1914 at the age of 59 in the Hospital, he gave up the ghost.
The whole movement was stunned by the news as there was mourning up and down the land, he was known for his words “Put the Boy first”. 4000 Boys filled St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday 15th May 1914 for the Memorial Service. After the service eight Staff Sergeant carried the coffin of Sir Williams Smith for the Chapel of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital while the Guard of Honour of the 62nd London and 3rd Enfield Companies stood with arms revered. The Band of 103rd London Company began to play “Abide with me” as the cortege stepped slowly into the night. The Last post from a bleak and lonely platform as a farewell to the Founder was sounded by the 2nd Rugby Company. After the Funeral Service in College and Kelvingrove Church a Bulger headed the march through the city, followed by two Companies of Glasgow Sergeants and massed Brass and Pipe Bands. The whole city of Glasgow went into mourning for it was known as the Home of Boys’ Brigade. The three miles to the place of burial were lined by 7000 Boys of the Glasgow Battalion and behind them Thousands of men, women and children who had come to pay tribute to the man the whole city knew. They remembered his soldiery bearing, the set on his head, his alert, steady eyes and the firm grip of his hands. He was without doubt a Christian Gentleman.
Sir Williams was buried in the Western Necropolis Cemetery, they sang the Boys’ Brigade Hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers!” as Boys of 1st Glasgow Company each casts into the open grave a white flower. “Sir Williams Smith’s name will ever be remembered as the Founder and Friend of The Boys’ Brigade” a telegram from the King. “It was left to Sir Williams Alexander Smith to spell the word Boy with a capital letter B” said Lord Guthrie.
#CentMaxine #1883 #BB 🌏 #SirWilliamSmith
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