Rushden Research Group: Church Lads’ Brigade

Church Lads’ Brigade

An early picture of the Brigade

The Church Lads’ Brigade.

The Rushden Company Church Lads’ Brigade was formed in June 1906, and numbers 50 officers and lads.

The Chaplain of the Company is the rector, the Venerable Arthur Kitchin, R.D.

The officers are:-
Captain, Rev. E. G. Beetenson
Lieutenant, Rev. W. B. Masefield
Sergt. Inst., W. H. Baker
Staff Sergt., J. L. Copson
Sergt. Bugler, H. Percival
Band Sergt., B. Robinson
Ambulance Sergt. J. Bird
Correspondent and Assistant Captain, Rev. E. W. Suart.

Information from 1910 Phillipson's Directory
Photograph from Lynn Morris

Ambulance Sergeant of the Church Lads' Brigade
Jesse Bird aged about 20

Rushden Echo, 14th August, 1914, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Church Lads Brigade

Letters from Field Marshal Lord Grenfell, governor and commandant of the C.L.B. were received by Capt. F. J. Simpson (Higham) and Capt. A. T. Nichols (Rushden), on Sunday morning to the effect that he had offered the C.L.B. for the disposal of His Majesty’s Government, and requesting them to report themselves at the Territorial headquarters, Northampton, on Monday morning. Captains Simpson and Nichols complied with the order and furnished details regarding the number of lads over 17 years of age in each company willing to serve. We understand that there were 19 from Higham and 22 from Rushden. These, if called upon, will in all probability be attached to the Territorial forces. Members of the Rushden C.L.B. went on Monday to Northampton, and are stationed at various bridges on guard to relieve the men now allotted to that task.

The Rushden Echo 30th July 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Gunner Walker was formerly Assistant Scout Master of the Rushden Troop, and he was for some time a bugler in the Rushden C.L.B. [extract - see Conditions in War]

Rushden Echo, 19th October 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

[Extract from a Memorial Service] ... ... After the blessing, the "Dead March in Saul" was played by the organist (Mr. J. E. Smith), this being accompanied by Drummers Moore and C. Packwood, of the C.L.B. The organist contributed Beethoven’s Funeral March as the congregation dispersed.

Church Lads - photographs