In this issue

Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries
NEIL BOND (42) followed in his
father’s footsteps and joined the 2 nd
Cardiff Company at Clare Gardens
Methodist Church where he remained
as a boy and officer until its closure,
when he transferred to 1 st Barry at
Cadoxton Methodist Church. Neil had
great inter-personal skills and
encouraged boys who did not fit in or
who were lonely or shy. Neil was
committed to living out the Object
wherever he was and served the
company with complete loyalty and
enthusiasm. He had the gift of
humour and could easily make people
laugh. Popular with boys and officers,
Neil drew people to himself and was
loved by all. His faith sustained him
through periods of chronic illness and
he bravely returned to BB after major
surgery for cancer and was officer in
charge of the Junior Section In 2005
Neil was presented with the ‘Thomas
Award’, a company award for a boy or
officer who had made an outstanding
contribution to the company during
that year. In 2006 the Cardiff and Vale
of Glamorgan Battalion awarded Neil,
posthumously, the Terry Pasley
Endeavour Award in recognition of his
stoicism throughout his illness. We
thank God for this great servant whom
it was a privilege and joy to know.
HIGH CRAWFORD (88) joined the 3 rd
Airdrie Company as a boy. He served
as Captain from 1946 to 1948 and
again from 1954 to 2003. He also
served as an elder in Clarkson Parish
Church, a member of the Executive
committee of the Airdrie, Coatbridge
and District Battalion for many years
and was made an Honorary Vice
President when he retired as Captain.
Many lives were influenced by Hugh’s
guidance, friendship and Christian
example. He is remembered with
great fondness and respect by all those
who had the privilege of knowing him.
HUGH ELDER (86) joined the 76 th
Perth Lifeboys in 1928. He gained the
King’s Badge in 1939. Hugh’s forte
was PT and swimming and once he
became an officer he was appointed
both Battalion PT and Swimming
Convenor. He attended the Jubilee
camp at Dechmont, the Royal Jubilee
Review at Queen’s Park, Glasgow and
most of the Battalion camps, as boy
and officer. He left the company for
army service in 1940 and in 1945 was
awarded the Distinguished Conduct
Medal and Military Medal for gallantry
and resource on the battlefields of
Burma. He returned to the company
in 1947. After retiring from active
company life, he was appointed to the
Reserve of Officers of Perth & District
Battalion and latterly was an Honorary
Battalion Vice President. He is
survived by his wife Mary, sons
Rhoderick and Douglas (both ex-BB
boys) and grandchildren.
DAVID TAVISH FRASER, BEM (86) was
the longest serving officer in the 1 st
Thurso Company. He was officer in
charge of the Lifeboys before becoming
Captain of the company. David was
highly respected and in 1990 awarded
the BEM for his services to youth work
in Thurso. He was an enthusiastic
member of the Scottish Episcopal
Church and the People’s Warden for
many years. When The Boys’ Brigade
Museum was opened in the 1 st Thurso
Company hall in 2001, the museum
was named the David Tavish Fraser
room, where his memory will live on in
the hearts of all those who were
fortunate to have know him. He was
loyally supported by his wife, Agnes
and proud that his daughter Janet
became Captain for many years.
T MILLAR GIBSON (84) joined the
143 rd Glasgow Company as a young
boy, eventually becoming Captain in
1954. He also served the Maryhill
District as Convenor over several years.
When he retired from the captaincy in
1968 he continued to serve as
Battalion Honorary Vice President and
then as Honorary President until his
death. He also served his church for a
period as Session Clerk and through all
of these offices influenced, for good,
many lives of boys and adults.
BRIAN PETER HOATH (62) joined 2nd
Grays Company at Riverview Methodist
Church, Chadwell St Mary, Essex as a
Lifeboy in 1952 and reached the rank of
Staff Sergeant. As a member of the
band he was senior drummer and he
loved to sing solo at one of the London
District Albert Hall Displays. He
helped start the 2 nd Chelmsford
Company in 1967 and continued as
Lieutenant for many years, taking
charge of the Junior Section. He also
formed and acted as Bandmaster for
the combined GB/BB band. In 1972 he
became Captain for six years. His wife,
Pat, was Captain of the GB for some
years. Brain was an active member of
the church and became a Methodist
Local Preacher in 1985. When he and
his wife moved to Chelmsford Brain
became involved in the work of the
newly planted ecumenical church.
Brian was a real inspiration to many
boys over the years. He is sadly
missed by friends, colleagues and his
wife, Pat, son and daughter and
grandchildren.
ROY McHUGH (85) was a former
member and Captain of the 6 th West
Middlesex Company from 1940-42. He
attributed much of his success in life
to the experience and leadership
training he received in the BB. He was
proud to have taken part in the display
organised to celebrate the Silver
Jubilee of King George V in 1935. Roy
retained a lifelong interest in the BB
and the family involvement continued
through his grandsons, David and
Michael, who were members of the 2 nd
Fleet Company. He will be sadly
missed by his wife Joyce, four
daughters and family.
JOHN McKEAN (68) joined the 2 nd
Kirkintilloch Company, but in 1958
transferred to the new 5 th Kirkintilloch
Company at St Mary’s Parish Church.
John served as an officer in the Junior
Section and as an Elder in his church.
Everyone who knew John had
memories of a gentle, patient and
caring man and we give thanks to God
for his life and work. John leaves his
wife Janet, sons Jim, Stephen and
family.
THE REVD JOHN MICHAEL REES
(64) was Chaplain of 5 th Kingston &
Merton Company at New Malden URC
from 1977-85. BB Headquarters is
indebted to him for his contributions
to the Gazette Chaplain’s Corner in the
1980s for around seven years.
SYDNEY ALBERT TORRINGTON (86)
joined the 4 th Newport Company in the
1930’s based at the Central Hall. He
transferred to 10 th Newport company,
based at Maindee Mission. He was a
keen member of the band and became
lead drummer. During the war he saw
service all over Europe with the Royal
Engineers. He became Captain of the
10 th Newport in the 1960’s and
brought a wealth of experience, which
was manifest in the high standards of
the company. He enjoyed camp as
cook and quartermaster and became
known as Uncle Syd. He was
appointed Vice President of the
Newport & Gwent Battalion. Sydney
understood the meaning of service to
boys.
page 30 • VOLUME 115 No. 1 • January 2007