Boys' Brigade in Singapore

The Boys' Brigade in Singapore (Malay:Briged Putera Singapura) is a youth uniformed group organisation which has been present in Singapore since 1930. It currently consists of over 700 officers and 6,300 Boys in over 116 companies. Its current Brigade President is Mr Poh Leong Berg and its Honorary President is Lieutenant-General (Ret) Winston Choo, the former Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces. The Boys' Brigade in Singapore celebrated its 85th Anniversary in 2015 and has the distinguished honor of having the President of the Republic of Singapore as its Patron.

History

The Boys' Brigade Campus at 105 Ganges Avenue.

The Boys' Brigade was introduced to Singapore by James Milner Fraser, an architect from Britain. He was a former member of the 23rd Aberdeen and the 23rd London Companies.

On 12 January 1930, Fraser started the 1st Singapore Company at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. With the aid of ex-Sergeant Quek Eng Moh of the 1st Swatow Company, he assembled 12 local Boys to form the company.

Progress was slow initially, but by the time the company was officially enrolled at Brigade Headquarters in London, in August 1930, the membership had risen to 40. The company chaplain was Reverend William Murray and Fraser's lieutenants were John McNeish (formerly of 76th Glasgow) and Dong Chui Sing. Bible class, drill, concerts, wayfaring, signalling, first aid, swimming, fencing, tumbling and other forms of physical recreation formed the core of the Boys' Brigade syllabus.

In the following year, the first camp was held at the Singapore Volunteer Camp at Siglap. A successful inspection was also held to bring the session to a close.

Extension soon followed, spearheaded by McNeish with the formation of the 2nd Singapore Company at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church in February 1931.

By 1936, the Singapore Battalion was 200-strong, with the 3rd Singapore (1933) started at the Anglo-Chinese Continuation School, the 5th Singapore (1934) at Choon Guan Presbyterian Boys School, 4th Singapore (1934) at Geylang Methodist Church and the 6th Singapore (1934) at Paya Lebar Methodist Church.

The Battalion Colors were presented to the battalion by F. C. Sands in 1936 and the drill competition was introduced. Fraser served as the Battalion President from 1936 to 1956. In 1940, he handed the captaincy of the 1st Singapore over to one of his Boys, S. P. Chua.

During the war years of 1942 to 1945, The Boys' Brigade's activities were suspended. To avoid desecration, the prized Singapore Colors were destroyed, but some of the coveted drums were stored away in a room at Prinsep Headquarters.

After the war, S. P. Chua revived the 1st Singapore Company. He was joined immediately by Fraser and by 1950, the Battalion had regained its old strength.

By 1968, there were 28 companies in Singapore. In 1971, the Brigade had the distinguished honour of having the President of the Republic of Singapore as its Patron.

As the Brigade approached its 85th Anniversary in 2015, it conducted its first Trooping of Colours parade and reunion dinner in over a decade with the then Education Minister Heng Swee Keat as the Guest-of-Honor.

Organisation

Headquarters

A list of honorary office-bearers include:

PositionBearer
PatronMdm Halimah Yacob
President of the Republic of Singapore
Honorary PresidentLG (Ret) Winston Choo Wee Leong
Honorary Vice-Presidents (Clerical)Bishop Rennis Ponniah (Anglican)
Bishop Terry Kee (Lutheran)
Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung (Methodist)
Rev Dr Christopher Chia (Presbyterian)
Honorary Vice-Presidents (Lay)Dr Lee Soo Ann, PBM
Mr Lee Liat Cheng, BBM
Mr Sam Tan Boon Yeow, PBM
Mr Peter Tay Yew Beng
Mr Peter Foo Chien Ho, PBM
Mr Choo Gim Kang
Mr Tan Kok Heng, PPA,PP,PBS
Dr Ho Yew Kee

The Brigade Executive

The Brigade Executive is the decision making body of The Boys' Brigade. In January 2007, the Brigade implemented the Cluster Structure and grouped the BB Companies into 10 clusters with an average of 10 to 15 Companies in each cluster. These clusters are similar to the school clusters of the Ministry of Education.

PositionBearer
Brigade PresidentMr Poh Leong Berg
Vice-PresidentsMr Vincent Tan
Mr Patrick Koh
Mr Chong Loi Foong
Mr Wilson Tan
Brigade SecretaryMr Jason Lim
Assistant Brigade SecretaryMr Daryl Tan
Brigade TreasurerMr Richard Tan
Brigade ChaplainRev Daniel Tong
Associate Brigade ChaplainRev Malcolm Tan
Standing Committees ChairmenMr Goh Sheow En (Juniors Programme)
Mr Daren Hoon (Seniors Programme)
Mr Ang Hoe Yong (Primers Programme)
Mr Oliver Loke (Training)
Mr Tony Tan Tuan Tiong (Activities)
Mr Lim Choo Siang (Facilities)
Cluster RepresentativesMr Bay Qin Yao (North 1)
Mr Daniel Lim (North 2)
Mr Jimmy Png (North 3)
Mr Daryl Chen (South 1)
Mr Joel Tan (South 2)
Mr Andrew Quek (East 1)
Ms Diana Thio (East 2)
Mr Ho Yew Keong (West 1)
Mr Timothy Tan (West 2)
Mr Edwin Lim (West 3)
Executive DirectorMr Desmond Koh

The Brigade Office

The Brigade Office implements the strategic plans developed by the Brigade Executive.

PositionBearer
Executive DirectorMr Desmond Koh
Deputy DirectorMs Ang Hui Leng

Companies

Each BB company is managed by a partnership of members from the sponsoring church and the school where the company is based, if present. They are led by the Chaplain and Captain from the church, and typically assisted by a team of Teachers-in-Charge of the school. Assisting them are Officers, Primers and other VALs either from the church, from other churches or as former members of the Company.

BB Companies are identified by a unique number, with an exception of companies catered for the Primers Programme. In general, the smaller the number is, the earlier the company was founded. For example, the 1st Singapore Company has the longest history in Singapore. While this is true for most companies, the same cannot be said for certain compaines as the number was "recycled" (especially in the 1980s and early 1990s). The majority of the companies are catered for the Seniors Programme. Companies with a "J" indicate the Juniors Programme. Every company also has a sponsoring school where new boys are recruited annually, and weekly parades are held.

The BB companies in Singapore are divided into 10 clusters – North 1, North 2, North 3, East 1, East 2, South 1, South 2, West 1, West 2 and West 3. Each company is categorised into the appropriate cluster based on its geographical location on the Singapore island.

Company Sponsoring Church Sponsoring School Captain/ Ag. Captain
1J Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church Pioneer Primary School Ms Esther Ng
2nd Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Victoria School Mr Raveendran Chinnavan
3J Wesley Methodist Church Stamford Primary School Mr Harrison Goh
4th Faith Community Baptist Church Whitley Secondary School Mr Vincent Tan
5J Living Praise Presbyterian Church Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School Mr Gerard Su
5th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School Mr Yam Kai Chow
7J Church of the Ascension St Andrew's Junior School Mr Samuel Zhang
7th Chapel of the Holy Spirit St Andrew's Secondary School Mr Daren Hoon
8J Fairfield Methodist Church Radin Mas Primary School Mr Barnabas Wong
9th Church of the Good Shepherd Westwood Secondary School Mr Joel Wong
10th Toa Payoh Methodist Church Beatty Secondary School Mr Daryl Chen
11th Light of Christ Church Woodlands Christ Church Secondary School Mr Foo Jia Ming
12BRJ Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) Mr Samuel Tay
12BR Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Mr Samuel Tay
12J Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) Mr Wong Soong Hung
12I Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Dr Andrew Yong
13th Glory Joy Christian Church Sembawang Secondary School Mr Ken Li
14th All Saints' Church (English Congregation) Anglican High School Mr Joel Wong
15J St John's - St Margaret's Church Henry Park Primary School Mr Gan Chee Kwan
16J Chen Li Presbyterian Church Kong Hwa School Ms Diana Thio
17J Charis Methodist Church Junyuan Primary School Mr Cody Lim
17th Charis Methodist Church Loyang Secondary School Mr Cody Lim
19th Yishun Christian Church (Lutheran) Yishun Town Secondary School Ms Sarah Cheong
20J Changi Methodist Church Greendale Primary School Rev Edmund Koh
21J Christalite Methodist Chapel Geylang Methodist School (Primary) Mrs Anna Quek
21st Christalite Methodist Chapel Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) Mr David Seetoh
22J Yishun Christian Church (Anglican) Wellington Primary School Miss Cynnthia Chitrah
23rd Pentecost Methodist Church Springfield Secondary School Mr David chew
24J St Andrew's Cathedral Fuhua Primary School Mr Chia Z Y
25th Faith Methodist Church Hillgrove Secondary School Mr Timothy Tan
26th Chapel of the Resurrection Tanglin Secondary School Mr Jerome Foo
27th Ang Mo Kio Presbyterian Church Presbyterian High School Mr Sia Keqin
28J Jurong Christian Church Shuqun Primary School Mr Clement Tan
28th Jurong Christian Church Shuqun Secondary School Mr Clement Tan
29th Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Mayflower Primary School Mdm Daphne Phoa
31st Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church Bowen Secondary School Mr Martin Lui
32nd Bedok Lutheran Church Damai Secondary School Mr Kingston Tan
33J Aldersgate Methodist Church Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) Mr Brendan Loon
33rd Aldersgate Methodist Church Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) Mr Joel Lai
34th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Marsiling Secondary School Mr Daniel Lim
35J Fairfield Methodist Church Zhangde Primary School Mr Christopher Chai
36th Century Christian Fellowship Compassvale Secondary School Mr Leroy C M
37th Faith Community Baptist Church Hougang Secondary School Mr Jonathan Pek
38J Bukit Batok Presbyterian Church Keming Primary School Mr Ivan Chai
39th Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church Swiss Cottage Secondary School Mr Lee Zai Yong
40th Bedok Methodist Church Changkat Changi Secondary School Mr Low Jian Xin
41J Faith Community Baptist Church Tao Nan School Mr Asher S T
42J Adam Road Presbyterian Church Nanyang Primary School Mr Horace Gay
43rd Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Yishun Secondary School Mr Andrew He
44th Woodlands Evangelical Free Church Fuchun Secondary School Mr Bernard Sng
45th Bethesda (Serangoon) Church Xinmin Secondary School Mr Eusin Bay
46th Geylang Evangelical Free Church Junyuan Secondary School Mr Danny Yeo
47th Trinity Methodist Church Serangoon Garden Secondary School Mr Koh Eu Beng
48th Bethel Presbyterian Church Zhonghua Secondary School Mr Lam W W
49J Chapel of Christ the Redeemer St Hilda's Primary School Mr Peter Leong
49th Chapel of Christ the Redeemer St Hilda's Secondary School Mr Andrew Quek
50th Fairfield Methodist Church Gan Eng Seng School Mr Ashley Tong
51st Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio) Mayflower Secondary School Mr Andrew He
52J St John's Chapel Pei Tong Primary School Mr Jeff Ho
53rd Impact Life Church Bukit Batok Secondary School Mr Tim Chin
55J Bethesda Community Fengshan Primary School Mr Andy Chua
56J Glory Presbyterian Church (English) Bukit Timah Primary School Mr Joseph Tan
57J Glory Presbyterian Church (English) Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School Mr Wong J W
58th New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Riverside Secondary School Mr Justin P Q G
59J St John's Chapel Greenridge Primary School Mr Patrick Lee
60th Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Raffles Institution Mr John N S
61st Church of Our Saviour Queensway Secondary School Mr Lo Jeng Ting
62nd Yishun Methodist Mission Orchid Park Secondary School Mr Sherman Yeo
63rd Mount Hermon Bible-Presbyterian Church Kranji Secondary School Mr David Oh
64th St John's Chapel Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Mr Choo H Y
66th Adam Road Presbyterian Church Woodlands Secondary School Mr Harry Lim
67J Church of the Good Shepherd Queenstown Primary School Mr Robin Chua
68J St. Paul's Church Open Unit Mr Leon Stewart
69J The People's Bible Church Xinghua Primary School Mr John Chia
70th Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel Fajar Secondary School Mr Siow Wei Yang
71J S-Word Evangelical Free Church South View Primary School Mr Dexter Ang
72nd Bethesda Community Bedok North Secondary School Mr Kevin Eu
73rd Faith Community Baptist Church Bukit View Secondary School Mr Terry Lim
74th The Bible Church, Singapore Kent Ridge Secondary School Dr Jonathan Lee
75J Paya Lebar Methodist Church Punggol Primary School Mr Seah Poh Chye
76J Toa Payoh Methodist Church First Toa Payoh Primary School Mr Daryl Chen
77th Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel Teck Whye Secondary School Mr Casper Sua
78J Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church Yew Tee Primary School Mr Emmanuel Puah
80J Covenant Presbyterian Church Farrer Park Primary School Ms Chan Oi Lam
81J St Andrew's Cathedral Townsville Primary School Mr Shaun Foo
82nd City Harvest Church Boon Lay Secondary School Mr Valor Thng
83J Faith Sanctuary MacPherson Primary School Mr Patrick Koh
84th Impact Life Church Unity Secondary School Mr Goh W N
85th Faith Community Baptist Church Jurong West Secondary School Mr Dannish K
86th Faith Community Baptist Church Jurongville Secondary School Mr J D Lee
87th Yishun Methodist Mission Northbrooks Secondary School Mr James Wee
88J Yishun Methodist Mission Naval Base Primary School Mr James Wee
90J Bukit Batok Presbyterian Church Princess Elizabeth Primary School Mr David Yapp
91st Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel Regent Secondary School Mr Jimmy Goh
92nd Chapel of the Resurrection Outram Secondary School Mr Jerome Foo
93rd Living Sanctuary Brethren Church Yuying Secondary School Mr Poh Song Wei
94th True Way Presbyterian Church (English) Nan Hua High School Mr Jonathan Tan
95J Westside Anglican Church West Grove Primary School Mr Lam Kah Mun
96J Revival Centre Church Balestier Hill Primary School Mr Jeremiah Teo
97th Bedok Methodist Church Bedok South Secondary School Mr Ang Hoe Yong
98th True Grace Presbyterian Church Grace Orchard School Rev Wee Meng Yeow
99th Faith Community Baptist Church Canberra Secondary School Mr Lewis Poh
100J Tai Seng Christian Church North Vista Primary School Mr Hao Peng Fei
101st Paya Lebar Methodist Church Open Unit Mr Glenn Seah
102J St Andrew's Cathedral North View Primary School Mr Shaun Foo
103rd Bedok Methodist Church Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School Mr John Tan
106J St Andrew's Cathedral Gan Eng Seng Primary School Mr Barnabas Sim
107J S-Word Evangelical Free Church Westwood Primary School Mr Dexter Ang
108th WORD Community Church Furen International School Mr Timotheous Teo
ACJC Primers Barker Road Methodist Church Anglo-Chinese Junior College Mr Samuel Tay
NP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Ngee Ann Polytechnic Mr Lai Sze Chuan
NYP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Nanyang Polytechnic Mr Kenny Foo
SP Primers Faith Community Baptist Church Singapore Polytechnic Mr Danny Lee
HQ Primers - - -

Ranks

Boys
The ranks in the Seniors Programme include:

Primers
This ranks attainable by Primers include:

  • Cadet Lieutenant (CLT)
  • Senior Cadet Lieutenant (SCL)

Officers
This ranks attainable by Officers include:

Badges and awards

Juniors' Programme

BadgeProgrammePrerequisites
JP Gold AwardJuniorsPrimary 6 Boys
Attendance in 80% of the parades in 2 years (with minimum of 25 parades per year)
Completion of 4 hours of community service (BB-initiated: BB CARES or BB Share-a-Gift Project)
Attainment of 6 JP colour awards
Participation in BB Adventure Quest (JP)
JP Service BadgeJuniors
White Achievement BadgeJuniors
Green Achievement BadgeJuniors
Purple Achievement BadgeJuniors
Blue Achievement BadgeJuniors
Red Achievement BadgeJuniors
Silver Achievement BadgeJuniors

Seniors' Programme

Badge/AwardTypeStagesPrerequisites
AdventureCore3
Anti Drug Abuse (SANA)Elective1
ArtsElective3
AthleticsElective3
Bandsman'sElective3
Bugler'sElective3
Christian EducationCore3
CitizenshipCore2
Civil Defence (Fireman)Elective1
Community ServiceCore3
CraftsElective3
DrillCore3
Drummer'sElective3
Environmentalist
First AidCore3
GymnasticsElective3
HobbiesElective3
International RelationsElective3
KayakingElective3
Leadership DevelopmentCore2
LifeskillsCore3
MusketryElective3
National EventsSpecial1
Naturalist'sElective3
NCO StarCore2
Piper'sElective3
SailingElective3
Senior Proficiency StarSpecial1
Sportsman'sElective3
SwimmingElective3
TargetCore1
Juniors Programme LinkService1Be in the Juniors Programme previously
Juniors ServiceService1
One Year ServiceServiceServed in the Boys Brigade company for consecutively of 1 year
Three Year ServiceServiceServed in the Boys Brigade company for consecutively of 3 years
Long Year ServiceServiceServed in the Boys Brigade company for consecutively of 4 years
Founder's AwardSpecialThe highest award in the Seniors' Programme, awarded to those who exemplify the traits and ideals of the movement
Cross For HeroismSpecialPerformed an act of self-sacrifice for others, shown heroism in saving or attempting to save life, displayed sheer courage in the face of danger
Senior ProficiencySpecialMeet certain criteria of earned badges

Uniforms

Juniors' Programme

There are three different dress codes for the Juniors' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Day Dress, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Seniors' Programme

There are five different dress codes for the Seniors' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Ceremonial Dress, the Day Dress, the Musketry, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Primers

There are three different dress codes for the Primers' Programme for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Day Dress, the Musketry and the Fatigue Dress.

Officers

There are six different dress codes for BB Officers for various functions and occasions. These include, in decreasing formality, the Ceremonial Dress, the Function Dress, the Day Dress, the Musketry, the Fatigue Dress and the PT Kit.

Programmes

There are three programmes for different age groups:

  • Juniors Programme – 8 to 11 years old (Primary 3 to Primary 6)
  • Seniors Programme – 12 to 16 years old (Secondary 1 to Secondary 4 or 5)
  • Primers Programme – 17 to 19 years (Post-Secondary, Junior Colleges/Polytechnics/Institutes of Technical Education, girls are eligible to enrol in this programme)

Community

The Boys' Brigade in Singapore aims to play an active role in contributing to society, and to inculcate these values to the Boys.[1]

BB CARES

BB CARES, which stands for Community Activities Rallying Everyone to Serve involved BB companies organising activities to benefit welfare organisations of their choice. It is one of the events as part of the annual President's Challenge event.

Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift

The Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG), previously known as The Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box, is a major annual event held during the Christmas period whereby more than 3,500 BB Officers and Boys, along with volunteers from other various groups, are mobilised to help collect gifts such as food and beverages from people and distribute these items to the needy in Singapore. These beneficiaries include the disabled, welfare homes, the elderly, and low-income families. There are also wishes from the beneficiaries that people can help to fulfill with, such as those requesting for food or household items, or toys and mattresses from children or the elderly.

Since the BBSG was started in 1988, it has been largely successful and has received great support from Singaporeans who have generously donated gifts over the years. From around 7,000 gifts collected in 1988, it has collected 428,000[2] gifts in 2006. Although the project did not meet its target donation by the close of the project on some occasions,[3][4] the public would often continue to donate such that target was achieved within the next few weeks.[5] In the last fifteen years, the BB has been working hand in hand with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).

On 7 July 2013, the Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) project was conferred the Singapore Youth Award Medal of Commendation. BBSG was recognised for achieving, contributing and inspiring youths at significantly higher levels after being awarded the Singapore Youth Award in 2004.

Boys' Brigade Learning Centre

The Boys' Brigade Learning Centre (BBLC) is an educational facility built and maintained by the Boys' Brigade in Proyouth Village, Puok Commune, Cambodia.

Notable alumnus

  • Chua Siak Phuang – last founding member of the first Boys' Brigade Company in Singapore who passed away in 2010.
  • Jimmy Koh Chee Tat

See also

References

Coordinates: 1°17′29″N 103°49′54″E / 1.29139°N 103.83167°E / 1.29139; 103.83167

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