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Memories of a childhood in wartime Leith. The trials and tribulations of the period, allied to the camaraderie of the community in facing up to an uncertain future made a lasting impression on John Stewart.
It was at the time when I was trying to break my numerous connections with the Salvation Army, that I enlisted in the Boys Brigade.
I knew that by so doing I was trying to convince my Aunty Chrissie that I was not entirely giving up all my Christian ethics and that I still held great store by them. I think she understood but at the same time she was disappointed in me.
I joined the 2nd Leith Company under Captain Jim Houston of St Thomas's in 1948. With my pillbox cap, white blancoed shoulder pouch held in place with the Sure and Steadfast brass buckled leather belt, I was the essence of pride.
The constant drilling on Wednesday evenings was put to the test in the annual Leith Battalion drill contest to find the best company. Although we did our best, we never won it during my tenure there.
The twice-yearly church parades of the Leith Battalion were highlights of the year. How proud we were in marching along, all trying to keep in step to the sound of the pipes and drums and the blaring sounds of the bugle and drum bands.
If you were unlucky to be caught between the two different instrumental bands, trying to change step to the varying rhythms often proved difficult.
Marching along Great Junction Street that was lined by both relatives of the members as well as the passers-by was a stirring moment for me. After the church service that seemed to last an eternity and finally culminating in our rendition of the Boys Brigade Hymn, 'Will your Anchor Hold', we would be lined up again and marched off to our various churches.
We all looked forward to our annual camp under canvas. Bell tents were the order for the day. Each squad of approximately 10 boys, privates and one lance corporal were allocated to a tent.
Our sleeping bags were often canvas sacks that had been sewn together and filled with hay from the nearby farm where we were camping. An advance party would go on ahead with the tents and our kit bags to prepare for the main party arriving a day later.
Competitions were held between each squad during our stay. We all got together during the day for meals that were prepared for us by the camp cook. I remember our cook was the church officer.
I cannot remember his name as I write this, but the camping period was the only time he seemed to have time for us. The rest of the year he would grouse and groan at us if we so much as entered his domain at the church without first wiping our feet.
Each evening we would have the lowering of the flag ceremony and on the Sunday of our stay we would attend the local church for service.
I had the good fortune of attending two of the camps, one at Kinlochard and the other at Benderloch. I missed out on the third in 1950 due to being hospitalised.
Inter-company football games were a feature each week and I frequently participated although I was not a player of note. These games were played at Letham Park on Ferry Road. The ground was over shadowed by the large Chancelot Mill.
If I may, I would mention here some of my contemporaries and officers of the time that I recall. Mr Houston, the Captain, Lt David Rome, Lt McGregor, Sgts Bert Alexander, Pete Davidson, John Orr, Bertie Hislop and his brother Tam.
John Stewart, 2001
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