The 3rd Grimsby Company was enrolled in November 1898 at Spring Church Welholme Mission. It disbanded around 1905/06. Not a lot is known about the Company between them dates. Has far as I could find out the Company reformed in 1906 at the Baptist Tabernacle Victoria Street. Very little of the early history is available, but some people recall the names of several men who gave many years of useful work to the old Company. Mr T Kingston (Captain), Mr William Bennett, Leader of the Bible Class, this gentleman gave his life in the 1st World War, Mr W G Barker, Mr Harry Shipman who later became a Lieutenant in the 13th Nottingham Company, Rev H Spendelow (Chaplain), he later became Chaplain in the 1st Spalding Company and several others. Many of the boys of the Company became workers in the church and Sunday School. Ten of these hallowed names on the Roll of Honour, in the church vestibule are those of the old Brigade Boys and Officers who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1914 - 1918 War.
Lack of suitable men and Officers owing to removals and other causes was responsible for the Company lapsing. The shortage of young men during the war years made Brigade work impossible and it was not until 1923 that a new Company was formed.
The two men responsible for starting the new Company were Mr J Bell the first Captain and Mr G Mason. Having successfully completed it’s preliminary meetings the Company was gazetted on the 14th August 1923 as the 3rd Grimsby Company of The Boys Brigade. Mr L H Shipman joined the Company later in the year and Mr A L Bradley a year later. During its history Wednesday night has been “Brigade Night” at the Tabernacle. Under the leadership of Mr Bell and the Company quickly grew into a useful unit. Drill and Physical Training formed the basis of the work in the early years. Members of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade conducted an Ambulance class, and an excellent Bugle Band was trained by Mr Killoran.
Mr Bell resigned as Captain at the end of 1926 and Mr Shipman was appointed his successor. At the beginning of 1927 the Company Bible Class was formed and prior to this the Boys of the Company had been meeting with the Sunday School. For two years the Class met at 9.30 on Sunday mornings. Permission was then granted for the Church to be used on Sunday Afternoons. The class was held there regularly until 1933 when a new Bible Class was made for the Company in the school premises.
During the years of 1928 - 1929 the gymnastics work of the Company was increased and gradually mats, springboard and vaulting-horse were acquired.
In the session 1926-1927 the Company received its colours. The Company colours a blue ensign with the Brigade Crest and Motto and the Company designation beautifully worked in the centre was the generous gift of Miss M A Dobson. The Kings Colours a finely worked Union Jack was the gift of Coun, L K Osmond.
Since the formation of the Grimsby and District Battalion 1st June 1927 following the union of The Boys Brigade and The Boys Life Brigade, the Company has taken an active interest in Battalion affairs. Teams have played regularly in the Battalion Sports League, Football and Cricket and the Company has entered all Battalion Competitions, Drill, Physical Training, Ambulance, Swimming and as taken part in various Demonstrations and Parades.
In 1932 Mr Shipman resigned the Captaincy owing to removal from the District, resuming the rank Lieutenant. Mr J F Earnshaw who had joined the Company as a boy in it’s first session, took over the Leadership and became the third Captain of the Company as had since it’s enrolment. They were trained for this by Mr George Oliver, an old boy of the Company who joined again as Lieutenant and is now Company Secretary. In 1933 Mr A S Francis joined the Company as Lieutenant.
The greater part of the work of the Company is being carried out at the time by three men, Mr Earnshaw (Captain), Lieutenants Oliver and Francis also assisted by a splendidly willing group of Staff Sergeants and N.C.O’s. Some branch of Company work is carried on practically every night of the week either at the Church or in conjunction with other Company’s. In addition to football matches on Saturday afternoons, at which the Officer’s act as referee’s, Bible class every Sunday afternoon.
For many years a Life Boys Team, the Junior Reserve of The Boys Brigade, has been run in connection with the Company under the Leadership of Miss Elsie Burnett. Excellent work as been done among the young boys and as passed on many recruits to the Company. In 1935 The Reverend Scott became the Chaplain of the Church. The Company came first in the drill competition, at the Battalion Parade the Company had the honour of being the Colour Party.
In 1936 Mr H Sergeant joined the Company has Lieutenant and in the same year the Company won the Efficiency Competition with a total of 302 marks.
Unfortunately not a lot can be found of the Company history between 1937 - 1941. Mr Frank Clarke became Lieutenant in 1942 with Reverend Wilfred as the new Chaplain.
1943 was a great honour for the Company and for Private Shaw. At a Boys Brigade Diamond Jubilee thanksgiving service held at Welholme Church the Mayor (Alderman E. S. Rudkin) presented the Brigade Cross of Heroism to Private Alfred Shaw.
The Story
When Alfred’s house was virtually demolished by an air raid, Alfred his Sister and Father were trapped under debris. Alfred managed to free himself and the pre curing of an axe, was able to to liberate his Sister and Father. The service was conducted by the Reverend R Hugh Jones who also gave the address. To read the full story click here
During that year of 1943 saw the promotion of Mr E Wilson to Lieutenant.
Mr Terence Stead started as an Officer at 9th Grimsby Company based at Ebenezer Primitive Chapel, later to become New Clee Methodist, 1st October 1958 the rank of Lieutenant. He stayed there until 2nd April 1965 when unfortunately, the Church was destroyed by fire. All personnel transferred to 2nd Grimsby Company Wellington Street.
Mrs Florence Stead became a Lieutenant at 9th Grimsby Company 1st October 1958, as a Life Boy Leader. Florence resigned her post from 9th Grimsby Company 1964.
Terence Stead carried on being a Lieutenant at 2nd Grimsby Company until he resigned there to become an Officer in the 3rd Grimsby Company at the Baptist Tabernacle Victoria Street Grimsby. Resigned 2nd’s 1968 and started his new post 30th January 1969.
At 3rd Grimsby Company he gained the position of Captain on the 1st September 1972, taking over from the previous Captain, Mr Raymond E. Shepherdson who started as a Lieutenant 22nd June 1950 and becoming Captain on the 4th October 1967, then resigning his post to return the rank of Lieutenant 1st September 1972. He did return as Captain again 15th February 1984.
Terence Stead stayed as Captain until 7th July 1976 and went back to the post of Lieutenant.
Terence Stead finally retired from the Boys Brigade 1978.
Florence Stead joined 3rd Grimsby Company on the 24th November 1970 as a Life Boy Leader. She resigned her post 1978. Joining 2nd Grimsby Company 30th March 1977 until she retired in 1990.
