The company history

Our company started in 1948. 

There was only one BB company in the Sutton Coldfield area at Banners Gate. Our company started with Life Boys in July 1948. Many of the boys from the area expected the scouts to be launched and a number did not return after the first night. It was the Life Boys who led the way. The first leader was Mrs. Connie Gould who was supported by Mrs. W. Plumb and Miss A. Plumb. The company section started later and was enrolled as the 58th Birmingham on 26th November 1948.The first captain was Mr. D. Holt, the majority of boys in the early days were from the choir at St  John's 

Numbers grew steadily and during the first session the company was able to go on its First camp, 24 boys attended. The company required equipment if it was to take part in many of the activities that the Brigade had to offer, a jumble sale was arranged which proved to be very successful, another method to increase funds was a jam jar collection this raised a lot of money.

The company at Banners Gate were a tremendous help in the early years thanks to their captain Mr. Jeffries. The company gradually acquired equipment which included a few band instruments. The drums were kept at the home of Mr. Holt. the camp equipment was kept in one of the outbuilding at the old vicarage.

Many people continued to help the company including Mr. S. Beale and Mr. B. Hunt a staff sergeant who took the company for drill, there were many more helpers, the company had good support from the church and the Rev W. A. Weeks who was always there to do the opening devotions.

By 1952 the company had grown to 61 and the captain changed to Mr. E. Maddox, Miss A. Plumb became the officer in charge of the Life Boys. Sgt. Michael Russell received the first king's badge obtained in the company. This was the only King's Badge as all future recipients were to receive the Queens badge. All are known as Queens Men. In 1953 the company changed its designation to the 2nd Sutton Coldfield.

We are very proud of all of our Queens men see our list of them.

Solid foundations had been set over the first ten years allowing the company to go from strength to strength. in 1961 the captaincy was taken over by Mr. George Lawrence and in 1962 Mr. N. Statham took over the Life Boys, the company was very active at this time and there were opportunities to take part in something nearly everyday, the company won the North East Division band cup in 1962.

During the 1960's there were 11 Queens men, this has been the most successful period in the company so far, also 3 boys obtained the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award they are (1966) Michael Abbott, (1967) Richard Wallis and Peter Southall. In (1967) Colin Russell took over as captain.

In 1963 Michael Russell assisted in the setting up of a new company at Pype Hayes (95th B'ham) where he was to become their first captain.

In 1971 the post of captain was taken over by Mr. Bryan Perkins, 

Mr. David Hew proved himself to be the best bugler in the Birmingham Battalion by winning the Terry Trophy 

in 1972, the BB uniform changed and in 1973, there were 60 boys in the company.

In 1975 the company collected £100 for new hammocks at Good Hope Hospital, numbers increased to 81, the company has always had the tradition of competing in many events and competitions and the last part of the 1970's was particularly successful. (See Honours List)

The company received it first presidents badge in 1973 this was a new badge introduced by the brigade, being one step away from the Queens badge. (See List Our Presidents men)

In the 80's the company remained strong in many activities, we won the table tennis league in 1980, 83, 84. 86, we won the B'ham Battalion cross country in 1980 and then represented B'ham in the inter battalion championship later that year. In the athletics we came away with medals. In 1983 four of our boys were chosen for the inter battalion championships. The chess was won in 1983 in the senior section and the Junior Section in 1984 and 1985, we won the North East Division Chess from 1976 to 1982, in 1985 the Scripture Reading Cup was won.

The 90's saw a change of captain Bryan Perkins retired and the post was take over by Paul Arkinstall in 1992, Numbers had started to decline in the early 90's but with the introduction of the Anchor Boys in 1992 this has given the company a timely boost.

In 1990 Stuart Faulkner finished first in the cross country and the represented B'ham in the inter battalion cross country and over the years won the junior, intermediate and senior Competitions, 

In 1993 the company hosted the North East division founders day parade at St John's church

In 1995 with the help of Debbie Arkinstall the boys baked through the night in shifts to bake over 1300 mince pies and were sold on the next day to family and friends to raise a good amount for company funds. We won the North East division doubles badminton championship.

The Company celebrated 50 year's in 1998 and had a reunion service after which an old boys band led a parade of old boys and the company around the village, many old boy's and officers attended, it was a tremendous day, it included a number who were there on the first evening in 1948.

Now in the new century the company is still involved with a lot of activities and have been quite successful in a lot of them.

2003/4 the Anchor Boys celebrated it's tenth birthday a party was held on a Friday nearest to the date when it started with the Youngest and the Oldest boys cutting a celebration cake.