1st Malvern - A Brief History
The 1st Malvern Company was re-formed in 1988 after an absence of 49 years. There were at least three Boys' Life Brigade (BLB) Companies in Malvern prior to 1926 when the BLB united with the Boys' Brigade. Prior to the outbreak of World War II there were 4 BB Companies in Malvern. So far as is known there were Companies at Lady Huntingdon's Church on Worcester Road, Malvern Baptist Church (MBC) on Abbey Road, The Gospel Hall on Newtown Road (now a pet/garden shop), and at Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church.
The present 1st Malvern Company is affiliated with Malvern Baptist Church and so takes its name from the Company originally based there. That original Company was formed in 1923 as a BLB Company, joining with the BB in 1926, making the present 1st Malvern 95 years old in 2018, the 30th Anniversary of its resumption. When the Company re-formed, four known survivors of the former Company were located, Mr. Ernest Lewis, Mr. Bellamy, Mr. Clifford Smith and Mr. Hubert Squibb. The wife of the original Skipper, Mr. Alec Lewis (elder brother of Ernest), was also alive but unwell. Their son and his family still live in Welland. Mr Lewis, Mr Bellamy and Mr Smith may be seen on a photograph donated to the Company by Ernest Lewis. It was taken about 1924, whilst 1st Malvern was still a BLB Company.
The original members have all since died. It was good to meet them and be encouraged by them. Mr. Ernest Lewis and his wife Betty donated the Colours to the Company in memory of Alec Lewis, and this fact is inscribed on the barrel of the Colours' staff. It is believed that the original Colours were given to the now defunct 2nd Worcester Company. The original staff remains at MBC. The donor is inscribed on the barrel.
In the late 1990's the Company adopted an old gentleman of 96, Jack Jones, who was in the Brigade in 1908 and who remembers Sir William Smith coming to his Company and addressing them. He didn't recall what the Founder said, but did remember the moustache!
