The History of The Founder
The founder, Sir William Alexander Smith was born on the 27th October 1854 in Pennyland House, on the outskirts of Thurso. His father, Mr. David, who was a major, passed away when he was thirteen years old. His mother, Mrs. Harriet Smith was left with four children, Sir William Alexander Smith, his two brothers, namely, Donald and David and his sister, Kate.
He was sent to the care of his uncle, Mr. Alexander Fraser, a merchant in Glasgow.
He joined the 1st Lanarkshire Volunteers at the age of fifteen in the year 1869. He soon rose through all the ranks and files and was Lieutenant-Colonel before his retirement in the year 1909. He held the rank as Honorary Colonel till his death.
Smith married Amelia Pearson Sutherland in the year 1884, March. Smith had two sons G. Stanley Smith, who became a full-time Boy's Brigade Secretary in 1925 and Douglas Pearson Smith.
Before the founding of BB, William Smith had his own business, partnering with his brother, called Smith, Smith & Co. He left his business and became a fulltime Boy's Brigade Secretary in the year 1883.
Smith was knighted in the year 1909, July by King Edward 7 for his work on boyhood.
Sir William Alexander Smith died on the Sunday, 10th May 1914. He was 60 when he died.