September 1st, 1966 will be remembered as the day the Life Boys disappeared in Britain. From that date they became BB Boys; wearing the BB Badges; having the BB Motto and Object, using the BB salute and handshake, being lead by lieutenants, completely part of the Company. In 1967 The Life Boys planned their integration into The Boys' Brigade as the Team Section. New Zealand is one of the few countries to keep the well-known name "Team" in the one Movement. Gradually, however, the old Life Boy emblems and ranks for Leaders, the Area organisations, the award (seal) system and even the familiar sailor's hat disappeared. In 1980-82, following the trends overseas, official moves began in this country to introduce Pre-Team Sections into BBNZ as the Anchor Boys. It is interesting to look back and see how the LB movement started. We have become so used to the idea that on a set date - 4th October 1883 - the BB was founded with the very first meeting of the very first Company. Nothing so simple happened in the case of the Life Boys. For it appears that the Junior reserve was never 'founded' in that sense. It just grew up. First official record of the move for an official junior movement was in 1916, when the BB Executive was asked to recognise the enrolment of Boys aged 10 to 12, and to lay down regulations as to a programme and uniform. It appeared from this action, and from the debate which followed that for many years BB companies had been opening their door to under-age Boys, and in many cases had formed them into BB Cadets. A BB Officer in Essex had for some time been running a group which looked very much like our 1960's Life Boys. It had a uniform (blue jerseys) a group-work programme, and was officered by Staff Sergeants. At 12 Boys were transferred to the Company. All this, notice, before the Boys Reserves (as they were to be known) were officially formed. In 1917 after long discussion, and some hot opposition, Council gave approval for the formation of the Boy Reserves. It was emphasised that the new movement was to be kept separate, from the Company and although from time to time vigorous argument has been voiced for a much closer link. This gap remained until the late 1960's. As with the Boys' Brigade itself, when this scheme was proved to be a success, other followed. In particular, The Boys' Life Brigade (which six years later was to unite with The Boys' Brigade) in 1920 formed the Lifeboys (one word). It is interesting that when amalgamation took place in 1926, the junior movement took the latter name, although separated into two words, and many of the other terms such as teams, areas, leaders, supervisors, seal system of the Lifeboy movement. Now the circle is complete, and there are 3 Sections that form a Company. Anchor Boys ages 6 to 7, Team Section ages 8 to 11 and Company Section 11 to 21+. All Sections are fully integrated as one BB movement having the same motto and object with leaders having full Officer Status. With a planned progressive programme, far from weakening the BB, this can be the means of integrating the Boy to the Movement, and ultimately to the Church, right through from gaiety of young Boyhood, to the responsibility of young Manhood. |
Founder Sir W. A. Smith |
The 6th Chrischurch Life Boy Team Fall In. Walter Bishop L.I.C. March 1960 B12-29/04 |
2 The Life Boys |
