History of Sir William Alexander Smith

BIOGRAPHY OF SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER SMITH 1854-1914

It was the evening of Thursday, October 4, 1883. Outside the door stood a group of boys from the North Woodside Mission Hall’s Sunday School in Glasgow. Inside, a Scottish businessman and Volunteer soldier was with two friends – it was the start of something great.

The man was William Alexander Smith. He was born on the 27th October 1854 at Pennyland, House Thurso, Caithness, in the very north of Scotland. He came from a military family. His grandfather, William, fought with the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot in the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800’s. His parents were David Smith 1824-1868, and Henrietta Fraser. David Smith had also been an active soldier. He served with the Dragoon Guards in southern Africa. He rose to the rank of Major with the Caithness Volunteers when he left the army. David and Henrietta were married in 1852. A daughter, Catherine Jessie, arrived in 1853. William Alexander was born in 1854. Donald George was born in 1856. David Miller was born in 1860. Henrietta Helen was born in 1864. Unfortunately, she died in 1867 at the age of 3 years.

Very little is known about William’s formative years. His parents attended the local village church regularly. They were good God-fearing people. They brought up their children with Family Prayers and Bible Study. He would have attended the local school and learned the basic subjects of reading, writing, arithmetic etc. He likely engaged in the typical activities of young boys. His leadership abilities became evident quite early in his life. William left school at around the age of fourteen. During his last term, he apparently gained no less than seven prizes. When William was only thirteen years old, his father, David, died while on a business trip to China. Sadly, this happened less than a year after sister Henrietta died. It was a very difficult time for the family.

So, William left school. He moved to Glasgow and joined his uncle, Alexander Fraser, who was a shawl merchant. Alexander was William’s mother’s brother. Beyond learning the business, he continued with his studies. He joined the Free College Church under the ministry of the Rev George Reith. Rev George Reith was the father of Lord Reith of BBC fame. He also joined Y.M.C.A. In 1874, with his family’s military background, he enlisted in the 1st Lanark Rifle Volunteers. This was a distinguished regiment that later became the 5th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). It was one of the first Volunteer Regiments to go into action in World War I. Here he rose through the Ranks and on retirement became an Honorary Colonel.

He left his uncle’s employ. Together with his brother Donald, they launched out in a business of their own. They worked as Smith, Smith and Co. By this time his mother and sister had also moved to Glasgow. They shared a home together. This continued until his marriage to Amelia Pearson Sutherland in 1884.

Then came the famous evening of October 4, 1883, when The Boys’ Brigade began. Very soon, the idea took hold. Other Companies, both in the UK and overseas, began to be formed. So in 1888, William Smith gave up his business career. He became the Brigade Secretary at a salary of £350 per annum, a post he held until his death.

After his marriage in 1884, two sons were born. George Stanley Smith lived from 1889 to 1974 and later also became Brigade Secretary. Douglas Pearson Smith lived from 1891 to 1965. Sadly Amelia, his wife died in 1898. It was not until 1906 he married again to Hannah Rankin Campbell, but sadly she died in 1907. These two ladies gave much support to William and his work with BB Boys. They surely must have been very much missed.

In 1908 the BB celebrated its 25th anniversary. The following year, the Company Camp took place at Tighnabruiach. During this time, the Captain of the 1st Glasgow Company made a quick visit to London. He was knighted by King Edward VII in recognition of all his splendid work for Boys. Sir William Alexander Smith very quickly returned to the Boys at camp., where he was given a very enthusiastic welcome.

In the course of William’s work, he wrote probably hundreds of handwritten letters. He traveled many miles on behalf of the BB. He visited Companies and Battalions up and down the whole of the UK and Ireland. He advised officers, helped them, and met Boys. He also crossed the Atlantic twice, to Canada in 1895 and the USA in 1907. Much support for his work was given by friends from both the business world and from Volunteer Officers. Royal support was significant. The Duke of York, who later became King George V, became the BB’s first Royal Patron.

In May 1914 Sir William was in London to attend the London District Display at the Royal Albert Hall. He was also there for a meeting of the Brigade Executive. However, he suddenly collapsed at the meeting. He died in St Bartholomew’s Hospital on the 10th. His death was much mourned. A packed service was held in St Paul’s Cathedral. Later, they conducted a funeral service back in his home Church in Glasgow.  After the service two Sergeants from the 11st Glasgow slow marched all the way to the cemetery. After the committal, all the Boys of the Company walked past in single file. Each Boy dropped a white flower into the open grave.  Very soon, many of these Boys joined the army. They wore a very different uniform because of the outbreak of World War I.

The work begun by William Alexander Smith still continues. Hundreds of thousands of Boys throughout the world have benefited from his leadership. He opened a path for many others to follow. Since 1883, men and women have followed in his footsteps and given much time and effort. They lead Boys towards a true Christian Manliness. Long may his work continue.