It was 1883, and William Alexander Smith, was both an Officer in the Army Reserve and a Sunday school teacher. With the help of two friends he started the 1st Glasgow Boys' Brigade Company and soon had 50 teenagers attending regularly. A basic uniform was provided and to Drill, was soon added, Games, Physical Training, First Aid, a Band, as well as a Bible Class. Then, in 1886, just like the army, a summer camp was held, thus pioneering Camping as a holiday activity.

The idea rapidly caught on and "Companies" were soon being formed by churches all over the country. In 1887 the first overseas Company was formed in the USA. There followed, the Church Lads' Brigade (1891), the Girls' Brigade (Ireland 1892), the Jewish Lads' Brigade (1895) and many more similar uniformed youth organisations.

The Boys' Brigade rapidly became a world wide movement. In 1903 Major-General Baden Powell became an Honorary Vice-President, and soon after wrote "Scouting for Boys", for use in the Boys' Brigade and similar organisations. In 1907 the Bournemouth Battalion of the BB helped Baden-Powell to organise the first Scout Camp, thus the Boy Scouts were formed.

The BB was certainly the first Voluntary Uniformed Youth Organisation, and together with the YMCA might be considered to have inspired today's Youth Service.

William Smith was Knighted in 1909, and in 1910 H.M. King George V was Patron, having first taken on that role in 1901, when he was Prince of Wales. Currently H.M. Queen Elizabeth is our Patron.

Although the BB, as a whole, has never been an army cadet organisation, in the First World War many members quickly volunteered for the Armed Forces. In some cases forming complete Companies of ex-BB members. The Brigade also set up and ran rest huts for troops, behind the lines. In the Second World War, once again many BB Officers and ex-members were amongst the first to volunteer, while those too young for the "Call Up" served as fire-watchers and messengers. Many ex-members and BB Officers gave their lives the service of their country.

In 1901 the BB Companies in London were formed into the London District, and Roger S Peacock was employed as the first London Secretary. The post has been filled almost continuously.

Mr R G Hayes was appointed as the first District President in 1902, and since then the District has been honoured to have a number of notable men as its President including, in the 1920's and 30's Sir James Devonshire and Sir Hugh Turnbull, and after the Second World War, Sir Francis Low.

The Boys' Brigade in London in 2007 has about 100 London Companies with over 3000 Boys and Young Men throughout London. The London District provides essential training for Boys' Brigade and kindred organisations, as well as competitions, central activities, special events, development and help and guidance.

Within the District we run a Central Brass Band, a Massed Bugle Band and Gymnastic Display Teams.

Local Companies run a wide programme of activities throughout the year, and most will take part in a summer camp. Many run their own Bugle Band, and we have both a Pipe and Drum Band and a Steel Band.

Many Groups work with girls, either cooperating with their Girls' Brigade Company, or by running a Girls' Association Group.

The Boys' Brigade seeks to provide fun yet purposeful leisure activities for young people, aged 4-19 years, within a caring Christian environment, to allow them to develop in all areas of their lives, spiritually, educationally, physically and socially.