History
Historical Group
Giving our past a place in the future
Formed in 1996, the Historical Group, a national support group within the CLCGB family, is making a positive contribution to the Brigade. Our membership is varied, encompassing all ages and interests, from members throughout the UK. We have built up a friendly and productive relationship with our counterparts in Newfoundland, Canada. We share a desire to learn about our heritage in a constructive way. We aim to educate members through attractive, interactive methods, and a historical information sheet, “Looking Back,” has been produced along with numerous fact sheets. The cataloguing and conservation of our National archives, along with the provision of a Reference Library, have all now been in operation for more than twenty-five years. We have many more projects still to materialise, so watch this space!
The Historical Group has produced a set of very interesting fact sheets. These can be viewed here.
The Historical Group also publishes a regular magazine, “The Brigader,” which offers members an interesting look at the history of the Brigade.
The Bugle magazine, produced by Newfoundland CLB, is also available free of charge to members of the Historical Group.
For further information, please contact Alan Stewart, the Historical Group Secretary: Alan.stewart@clcgb.org.uk Alan.stewart@clcgb.org.uk
A Brief History
The Church Lads’ Brigade was formed at St. Andrew’s Fulham in July of 1891 by Walter Gee and the Church Girls’ Brigade, then known as the Church Red Cross Brigade, by Reverend Thomas and Florence Milner in Tottenham in the summer of 1901. The Church Red Cross Brigade had a name change, around 1910, to the Church Nursing and Ambulance Brigade for Women and Girls and then in 1923 to the Church Girls’ Brigade. The London Diocesean Church Lads’ Brigade was formed in 1891, initially as a separate organisation, but merged into the CLB in 1919.
On 15 November 1978, the Church Lads’ Brigade and the Church Girls’ Brigade amalgamated to become the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, a uniformed children’s and youth organisation in the Anglican Church. Today, it welcomes members of all faiths and none.
Walter Gee
Florence and Reverend Thomas Milner
Notable Dates since amalgamation (1978)
1978 – The Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade formed on 15 November with 15,000 members
1979 – National Band formed
1980 – Royal Review by the Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Great Park
1985 – National Band performed overseas for the first time touring West Germany
1987 – NHQ relocated to Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire from Finchley, North London
1991 – Brigade’s Centenary Year – many local celebrations under the slogan ‘Towards another Century’
‘Minor Corps’ (5-7 years) inaugurated
National Choir formed
1993 – Phase 1 of the National Training Centre opened at Wath-upon-Dearne by Peter Hardy MP
New Training Officer appointed (Norris Boyland)
1994 – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited NHQ in the presence of 3,000 members
1995 – Phase 2 of the National Training Centre completed
1996 – Brigade President, His Grace The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev George Carey, visited NHQ
Historical Group formed
1998 – ‘Minor Corps’ renamed ‘Martins’ after the Brigade’s Patron Saint
2000 – National Band perform at Millennium Dome, London (Now the O2) as part of a Brigade celebratory day
Participation in National Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph commences
2002 – Rebranding of ‘YBYGC’ to ‘Y Team’ and ‘JTC’ to ‘Jump to the Challenge’
HQ buildings renamed ‘St. Martin’s House’
Brigade Memorial Garden dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA)
CLCGB contingent at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Parade in London
2006 – Annual Memorial service at NMA commences – National Band visit New York, USA
2011 – 120th anniversary celebration with national parade and service at Manchester Cathedral
2016 – National Centenary visit to High Wood and the Somme battlefields – Newfoundland CLB ‘Tour of Honour’ visits the UK with joint service of Remembrance
2017 – 125th Anniversary Parade and Service at York Minster
National member’s activity weekend at Kingswood Adventure Centre, South Yorkshire
2019 – National service to Denham, Buckinghamshire, to mark the Centenary of the 16th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (CLB) returning to the village. Re-dedication of Walter Gee’s grave
2021 – Events held throughout the country to mark the 130th anniversary of the CLB
2023 – Members represent the CLCGB at various events to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III
2024 – HRH The Princess Royal becomes Royal Patron of the CLCGB.
2025 – New National Colour dedicated
2026 – Re-dedication of Florence Milner’s grave, Co-Founder of the CGB.
New Martins Badge Scheme
