| AdminHistory | The Church Lads Brigade (CLB) is an Anglican youth organisation founded in 1891 by Walter Mallock Gee (1845-1916) (1), while Secretary of the Junior Division of the Church of England Temperance Society. It promoted a resolutely Anglican ethos, whereas the Boys Brigade, on which it was based, was, characteristically non-denominational (2).
The inaugural service of the Stepney branch took place in December 1905 at Christ Church, Jamaica Street, when thirty boys were enlisted as members of the London Diocesan CLB. The boys were, potentially, 'strong, staunch and true supporters of the Church on earth' (3). Obedience to their officers 'would teach them to show due respect to those who ... were put in authority over them' (4)
The formation of the CLB reflected concern about the health and behaviour of young working-class men. The Bishop of Stepney told the London Diocesan Division that many adolescent boys 'poured out of school...have no other discipline at all, and large numbers of them become hooligans' (5). The only large-scale solution to this 'great problem' (6) was the cadet movement of the CLB. The CLB's fundraising work was another opportunity to increase its influence '(amongst) our men of the future' (7).
The CLB has participated in military conflicts, including 50, 000 Brigade Lads who served in WW1. The Brigade contributed two service battalions of the King's Rifle Corps, comprised of past and current members. (8)
Note the formation of the Church Nursing and Ambulance Brigade in 1901 by Anglican clergyman Thomas Milner, and which became the Church Girls Brigade (CGB) (9). In the late 1970s, the CLB and the CGB merged, to become the CLCGB.
Sources of information:
1.'The Club Founder : W. Mallock Gee' ( clgcb.org.uk)
2. Church Lads Brigade (stjohns15.co.uk)
3/4. 'Christ Church Company XI Battalion Enlistment Service' : p.7 in East London Observer, Saturday 9th December 1905. (BNA)
5/6. 'Personal' : p.2 in East London Observer, Saturday 3rd February 1923 (BNA)
7. 'Church Lads Brigade' : p.4 in East London Observer Saturday 24th April 1920 (BNA)
8. Jean Morris (2015) : The Church Lads Brigade in The Great War
9. 'The Church Nursing and Ambulance Brigade' : (clgcb.org.uk)
Further Reading
'The London Diocesan Church Lads Brigade and The War' : A. W. Oyler (Maj), 15 August, 1914 : p. 473 in The Lancet, Volume 184, Issue 4746 (Must be accessed via ScienceDirect : Wellcome Library)
'Lord French Inspects Cadets of the London Diocesan Church Lads Brigade' 1914-1918 in britishpathe.com |