The Boys' Brigade is the largest Christian uniformed youth organisation in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

[2] The Boys' Brigade was founded in Glasgow, Scotland on 4 October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2008.

[6] The first Company of The Boys' Brigade was set up by Sir William Alexander Smith, on 4 October 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow, Scotland to develop "Christian manliness" by the use of a semi-military discipline and order, gymnastics, summer camps, and religious services and classes.

These aims led The Boys' Brigade to become one of the founders of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), which is an England-wide organisation working to support and promote the activities of charities and groups with a focus on the welfare of young people.

When writing the object Sir William Smith wrote down all of the important words in capital letters as to highlight them and as true of his century, when Glasgow was the heart of Queen Victoria's expanding empire, it was said that everything was either flown, carted, shipped or carried from there that was in the Industrial Revolution.

Upon designing both the motto and emblem of the Boys' Brigade, Sir William Smith took inspiration from the Bible, particularly Hebrews 6:19, which says 'Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast'.

Early uniforms were often based upon school uniforms, jacket, tie and trousers with dress shoes with the simple addition of a brown belt with brass buckle and a white haversack and a pillbox hat (a common cap in the British Army of the 19th century).

Blue shirt, forage cap, brown leather belt with brass buckle, white lanyard under the left shoulder attached to the left breast pocket, white haversack (red sash for Colour Sergeants or brown leather haversack and stick for Staff Sergeant) over the right shoulder, main armband with rank on the upper right arm (right cuff for Staff Sergeant) and achievement badges, on the left arm band.

The rank insignia for NCOs imitated that of the British Army with one to three downward pointing chevrons being used from Lance-Corporal to Sergeant.

The modern uniform is more relaxed with a choice of polo-shirt and pullover or shirt and tie with variations for ranks and sections.

Based on the rank insignia of the British Army at the time the brigade was formed, non-commissioned officer to the rank of sergeant wear chevrons on their upper right arm, and staff sergeants wear four chevrons on the lower sleeve, with the point facing upwards.