2 Chris#

Newsletter of Old Boys & Friends of 70

London BB Company

REFLECTIONS

It is with such sadness that we report the passing

of Peter Knights, an ‘officer and gentleman’ of the

highest order. Peter, our 70th captain from 1961

to 1980, was fittingly given a great send off at his

Service of Thanksgiving in January. Many OB’s and

friends were there to hear wonderful tributes to a

man who touched so many lives in such a positive

way. Our thoughts and prayers are of course with

Daphne and her family, hoping they would have

been comforted by the memories of a much-

admired man.

We heard too in February of the passing of Martin

Nightingale, ‘a stalwart’ of the Company in the

50’s and 60’s and a talented pianist and organist.

Many will have heard that Chris Buss, 70

London

Captain for the past 25 years resigned in January.

Chris was the driving force for the company over

these many, often-difficult years. T

he Company

Such Sad, Sad Times

Such Sad, Sad TimesSuch Sad, Sad Times

Such Sad, Sad Times

What Should We

What Should We What Should We

What Should We

Reflect On?

Reflect On?Reflect On?

Reflect On?

We have now produced three editions of Reflections.

Feed back is always welcome to make sure that the content

of our magazine is what OB’s want to read.

Unfortunately we don’t get a huge amount of feedback and

it is tempting, but unwise, to think that we have got it right

and everybody is happy.

Roy Norris took the trouble to write to us last October, the

gist of his email being as follows:

Whilst it is proper that Reflections should cover OB’s

nostalgic stories and their views of the past, it is equally

important that Reflections should be forward looking. We

need to cover more about what OB’s have done since leaving

the company, and what they are currently ‘up to’.

is indebted to Chris for his unswerving

dedication to the Company and the welfare of

its officers and boys.

To add to our sorrow, as many of you will already

know, the 70th London Boys’ Brigade Company is

no longer in existence. Members of the Tooting

Junction Baptist Church at their AGM in February

unanimously agreed to close both the BB & GB

organisations. This was due to the fact that there

was no longer any staff to run the companies

effectively.

The passing of the 70

London

Company, after just over the

101 years of its existence,

is a devastating fact that

so many OB’s will find it

so hard to come to terms

with.

Roy for instance is in into numismatics [the collection &

study of coins], bee keeping

and genealogy! Roy has

promised us an article on one if not all of his pastimes in

Edition 4. John Ward has already written about his

fascinating rise to become a curator of the Science Museum

in London. [This again will appear in the next edition].

In the meantime please, please let us have your views,

articles or letters.

Edition

April 2010

We will be starting a letters/emails page in the next

edition…so go on drop us an email! It will only take a

‘mo’ but collectively it could make a big difference!

Transcript of Neil Pheasant’s

Pheasant’sPheasant’s

Pheasant’s Tribute to Peter at the

Thanksgiving Service on 26

January 2010.

“

It’s so good to be here today and to give thanks for the life of Peter with you.

As I came down on the train from Nottingham this morning thinking of this service, I

couldn’t begin to count the memories of Peter and all the things he means to so many

of us here today. To stand here and speak for so many Boys, who though in many cases

now balding and greying, are still Boys at heart, is an awesome thing.

I know that to many of you Peter was in many ways the 70

London Company of the

Boys’ Brigade and that some of your memories of him go back far further than I do.

Peter joined the Company in 1941 and I dare say you can give thanks for an awful lot

of fond remembrances of him: Peter the drummer; Peter the First Aider; Peter

engaged in that National Service Scheme during the war on his bike as a messenger

and also as a Fire Warden; Peter the footballer; Peter the PT instructor; Peter

organizing the 70

’s Annual Displays at the Church halls in Tooting. Neither can we

forget the part Peter played in the annual camps, the competitions, the Bible classes,

A Tribute to Peter Knights

A Tribute to Peter KnightsA Tribute to Peter Knights

A Tribute to Peter Knights

[1927-2010]

[1927-2010][1927-2010]

[1927-2010]

Over 200 loved-ones and friends of

Peter Knights crowded into Morden

Baptist Church on 12th January to

pay their tributes to remarkable

man.

Whilst there was the inevitable

sadness at the passing of a man who

touched so many lives, the overall

sense of occasion was one of

happiness and felowship.

Many fine tributes were given on the

day and perhaps the one that

summed up the feelings and

memories of Peter were encapsulated

in the tribute by Neil Pheasant.

We therefore see no better way of

capturing the sentiments of most

OB’s and BB friends other than

reproduce the full transcript

of what Neil said on that most

memorable day.

REFLECTIONS

Page 2

the Drill Parades or the big events at the Royal Albert Hall. All those things that made

the 70

special and a part of our lives are inseparably linked to him - Peter the Boy,

the Warrant Officer, the Lieutenant and the Captain. It is not surprising that today’s

thanksgiving service is very personal for us - deeply personal.

As I arrived here this afternoon I was given some notes of the comments that some

people have made in thanks to Peter. Let me share just a few:

One writes…[Roy Norris]

As one of my friends [Dennis Loader] said – “He was the genuine

article”. Coming from that person it was praise indeed. And well

merited.

Another, a younger man,[Erryck (Prince) Onyemachi] writes…

Really sad news about Mr Knights. He and Daphne were always very,

very good to me and my brothers and sisters.

Someone else [Bill Pizey]…

All who came in contact with Peter know what a wonderful man he was.

I myself will never forget him, he put me on the right path, that's for

sure. I still see that fantastic smile on his face, the smile that made

anyone and everyone feel wanted. I am sure you have heard the saying,

“An Officer and a Gentleman”, that was Peter Knights.

Someone else [David Coles] wrote (I need to put this into context. David Coles was a

Boy in the Company and is now the goal keeping coach of Portsmouth FC - he needs

our prayers! (much laughter……)

Peter was a great Captain and a friend of my family. I will certainly be

thinking of him today as will many other old Boys. It’s funny; every now

and then he would call me when we played Arsenal, just to make sure

we didn’t beat them. We played them on the 28th December 2009 and I

did not get a call and when we lost as usual I thought of him. Madness,

but he is always in my thoughts.

In all these tributes we see that if you know Peter, you don’t forget him.

For me, an eleven year old Boy whose Dad was in hospital or staying in some care

home somewhere, what I needed was someone to show me what true Christian

manliness was. Over many years Peter did that, he changed everything for me.

What sticks out for me, looking back over so many years to the 1960s? Certainly his

leadership of the 70

is the big thing. Three things were a part of that:

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Page 3

Purpose:

Peter once wrote, in response to the question “What had the 70

done

for him?” that it was there that he found Christ as his Saviour and friend. That was the

first thing.

In fact there were two big “first things” for Peter in his life in the 70th: the Lord Jesus

and Boys. His purpose was to seek to bring the two together and everything else

served that purpose.

If Peter ever gave you something to do in the Company, you knew it was for that

purpose. It wasn’t a reward, it was a responsibility, and you knew it wasn’t a

celebration either or an achievement, but an opportunity to serve other Boys. He

didn’t have to say that to you because you knew it by seeing it in him, in everything

that he did.

Patience:

There were no dramas with Peter. There was patience. There was also a

lot of fun and a lot of firmness too.

You knew that if you wanted to leave the 70th there was Peter in the way. You

couldn’t just stop going to Bible class and fade away. You couldn’t just not turn up at

Drill Parade and be forgotten. You knew that within a few days, there he would be

sitting down with either your Mum or Dad and talking it through.

He did this not because there was any reward in it for him but because you mattered

to him. In that sense he was emulating his Saviour in going after the lost because he

wanted you to know the Lord Jesus Christ. He would take the time to do that and show

great patience in it. He would take the most un-promising of Boys and young staff

members and take time with them to teach and to train and to build them up.

Later on when I was in pastoral ministry, I used to think back to his example and how

it would be the person who you sometimes might have said was the most difficult that

he would spend the most time with and show the most care over. They all mattered to

him.

Perseverance:

The 1960s and 70s particularly were tough times for the Boys’

Brigade. The whole youth culture changed and people found other things to do that

were different to the traditional youth organisations. Peter was the right man, at the

right time and in the right place to deal with that for the 70th.

‘Stickability’ was the word we used for perseverance in those days and there it was

written in everything Peter did for us. It cost him I know. For several years he and I,

together with George (Bartlett) and Jim (Ballard) working with the Junior Section,

realised that running a Boys’ Brigade Company was no easy thing, particularly at that

time. Peter, as Captain, bore the brunt of that.

At one camp, we went away with just seven Boys and the temptation may have been

to think – well is this really worth it? It cost – not just for Peter but also for Daphne

Page

REFLECTIONS

and for Sue as well. To see your Husband and your Dad go out night after night, week

after week, just to be out with Boys, was no easy thing. We thank God for them too. If

Peter had given up then there are 5 or 6 generations of Boys who have gone through

the 70

since who wouldn’t have heard of the saving love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We had a saying in the 70

, a bit of a battle cry, ’70 for the 70

’ and it was our hope

that at some time, in some way, we would have 70 Boys in the Company. It occurred

to me on the way down this morning that from 1941 to 2010 are 70 individual years. 70

years over which Peter as a Boy, as an Officer, as a Captain and then afterwards as

someone who prayed for us and supported us, was a blessing to us – a wonderful 70 for

the 70

We thank you O our Father, before the memories fade, for all the love that you

showed us through Peter and for the time that you gave him to us

”

Neil Pheasant

Daphne Knights replies

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to express some thoughts to you all.

I want to thanks the Old Boys for all their kindness to me via so many cards, letters

and 'phone calls. A special thank you to so many of you who traveled long distances

to join the family at the Thanksgiving Service for Peter…it was really appreciated.

And didn’t the singing of the hymn ‘Will Your Anchor Hold’ really let it rip……Peter

would have loved it!

I must mention too, my thanks to the Old Boys for inviting Pete to the lunch in

October. He really enjoyed it and I was so pleased he was able to go.

Peter and I had 57 years of happy marriage and shared in the lives of the boys and

girls of the brigades. We always looked forward to receiving cards from ‘our boys

and girls’ and hearing their family news.

Thank you again for all your friendship and concern.

See you all on May 15

Very Best Wishes

Daphne

REFLECTIONS

Page 5

Keith Holbrook

[1947 to1953]

The picture of the 1949/50 cricket team in Edition 2 of

‘Reflections’ stirred a few memories. Seeing Bill (Will) Harris

and George Parsons again reminded me what good buglers they

were. Will was a superb soloist and along with George as second

solo, they were a great duo.

Will was something of an individualist. This manifested itself in

his choice of footwear – thick crepe soled shoes, at the time

considered a fashion item, though not thought the ideal

accompaniment to BB uniform! Another instance of this

individualistic streak was his unusual choice of socks that he

appeared to reserve for Church Parades. They were sometimes

striped, sometimes plain, but always brightly coloured. As we

prepared to lead the Parade there would be calls from within

the band of ‘Show us your socks Will!’. We were rarely

disappointed.

My memory of George has little to do with BB, more to do with

serving Queen and Country. After leaving the 70

I was shortly

afterwards called up to do two years National Service in the

Army. After the initial two weeks training where we were kitted

out, given short haircuts and generally chased around from

dawn to dusk the time came for the next stage of training.

Imagine my surprise and amazement on discovering that my

Squad NCO/Drill Instructor for the next eight weeks was to be

Cpl. G. Parsons RAMC. We never let on that we knew each other

and nobody ever suspected we did. I received no favours and

got bawled out the same as everyone else.

On one occasion George was taking us for drill. All was going

well or so I thought when I was

startled to hear a voice

(George’s) echoing across the Parade Ground ‘Holbrook, you’re

marching like a crab!’

I had in the past wondered why success had eluded me in the

Best Drilled Private competition. I wondered no more.

Peter Ellis [1956 to 1970]

Last year Kath [my wife] and I holidayed in Yorkshire and on

one day visited a county show. Some of the exhibits were

housed in marquees and when entering I was at once reminded

of the highlight of the BB year…. “camp week”.

Amongst my BB memorabilia I have a camp fund card for 1959

recording my payments which started on the 15

February! The

grand total of £4-17-0d, a seniors payment, was paid in

installments of 5/-d, 7/6d and 10/-d. As far as I remember boys

under 15 paid a reduced rate- good value for transport, shelter

and four meals a day! My payment card records that by the

June I had paid off the full amount.

Do you

remember the bread and cheese and a blob of red or

brown sauce, together with a mug of cocoa?

Camp for most of would have been the first time we had been

away from our parents for a period of time. Instead we were in

the care of a strict and forbidding (or so it seemed at the time)

older boy, our NCO tent commander. My first in 1956 or 57 was

Bernard Matcham. Who could forget the training and initiation

into camp routine & tent inspection? Blankets folded the

correct way, rolling up the brailing, laying out of our kit in the

precise way and of course the cleaning of belts and shoes.

One year in the late 50’s the company traveled by rail to

Axminster en route to camp at Charmouth. Being in the

baggage party with Roly Clark [the officer in charge] we had to

ensure about 60 kitbags, officers cases, the ex WD ammunition

boxes we used for the enamel plates and mugs and cutlery,

and the large porringer were on the same train as the camp

party. Embarking at Tooting Junction- no problem. Changing at

Wimbledon for the main line steam train entailed riding the

station lift to move all this equipment to another platform was

a real challenge, but I do not recall any items going astray. At

Axminster we all piled into the back of a lorry which took us to

the camp site, on that occasion the lorry was quite reasonable

not like the one used to take us to Church Parade in

Bridgeport, which smelt very strongly of fish!!

There are so many aspects of camp to remember, the meal

parades, orderly duties (innumerable items to wash up) the

morning and evening prayers when the officers

brought the

gospel to us. The special atmosphere of evening prayers

following supper has particular memories, with the hissing

Tilley lamps and the hymns sung accompanied by the

harmonium.

All these different experiences played a part in our growing up

process and I am sure that they were used by the Lord to lead

me to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, as

did other members of the company.

There are many more memories of camp over the period 1956-

1968 as both a boy and officer, but they will keep for another

time!

I Remember When

I Remember WhenI Remember When

I Remember When……….

……….……….

……….

Page 6

“The special atmosphere of evening

prayers following supper has particular

memories, with the hissing Tilley lamps

and the hymns sung accompanied by the

harmonium

.”

Peter Ellis

REFLECTIONS

OB’s meet up for lunch

OB’s meet up for lunchOB’s meet up for lunch

OB’s meet up for lunch

The second meeting of the OB’s Lunch Club took place at The Bells in Staines last October.

Twelve OB’s were in attendance. What was particularly lovely about this get together was the

chance to meet up with Peter Knights. Peter was in good form and we know he will have

enjoyed having so many of his BB colleagues around him.

Chris Buss Resigns

Chris Buss ResignsChris Buss Resigns

Chris Buss Resigns

After 25 sterling years of service as Captain of the 70

[the 2

longest captaincy in the 101 years

history of the 70

] Chris Buss took the tough decision to resign. On 1

January 2010 he wrote:

“I am writing to you at the start of the new year to advise you that with

effect from today I have resigned as captain of the 70

, my wife has also

resigned as captain of the 7

London GB. After 25 years in the role it has not

been an easy decision to make particularly as in both cases it may lead to the

closure of both companies. However we both feel it is the right decision to

make as a combination of circumstances has made it impossible for me to

continue to undertake the role of BB captain. It will be a matter for the

church at Tooting to decide whether to continue the work of the BB and it is a

decision that I will not influence in any way.”

Chris’ impact on the so many successes of the Company over his presiding years as Captain is

immense. Hundreds of boys and old boys alike will wish to thank Chris for the total

commitment and dedication he gave to the 70

London Company in this time.

We will be devoting the next edition of Reflections to Chris. We would therefore like to hear

from anyone who would wish to record their thanks or their memories of him

REFLECTIONS

Page 7

Left to Right: Martin

Dennis; Geb Rance; Gordon

MacPherson; Alan Verrills;

Keith Holbrook; Jackie

Fishpool; Peter Knights;

Martin Richardson; Dave

Richardson; John Ward;

Alan Rance. [Alan Bilyard

departed before the photo

call]

Martin was my best friend from a very early age and we

shared many life experiences together; BB, Football, First Aid,

and Band practice at Franciscan Road School, with Pete Knights

and Mr Want. I remember that Martin even got to instruct the

Girls Brigade band! Music was such a big part of his life - it was

a great pleasure for him, but not all of our music was “sweet”.

Later on he joined a choral society.

As a young man he worked for various companies

making loose covers and curtains. Then, after meeting his

future wife Pat, he went into work in childcare and social work.

This remained his work until he retired. Following his retirement

he found a new challenge, working as an advocate for a charity

called “Voice for the Child in Care”. He also followed “Green

Issues” and was concerned for the environment.

We regularly met either at his Ipswich home, my home

or the home of his twin sister Margaret. Music was always on the

menu and we would be quite often sitting up half the night

discussing some topic or other into the small hours, (our wives

having long abandoned us and gone to bed!). He was interested in

football and Ipswich Town Football club, and he was always

saying he could manage it better and coming up with ways – not

all of them sensible, on how they could win some matches!!

Martin was a true friend. You could have none better.

He was caring and always there for you, and was on the phone

regularly inquiring how I was when I had a spell in hospital. One

could always bank on his support when there were difficulties.

He had a great circle of friends all over the place, and I think it

was late last summer he and Pat did the “Cooks Tour” of England

meeting up with many of their friends around the country. He

Martin Nightingale

Martin NightingaleMartin Nightingale

Martin Nightingale

Remembered by Terry Blumire

Remembered by Terry BlumireRemembered by Terry Blumire

Remembered by Terry Blumire

was also a talented cook, and loved to cook for his

friends and family.

At his home it was Music

; Food, and good

Conversation, in that order with much laughter. He was

a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he just

loved his grandchildren to bits and enjoyed playing with

them and spending time with them.

I will miss my great friend, along with many

others. Thank you for all the joy we shared and the

music, either him playing the piano, or listening to choral

music together.

Terry Blumire

Martin and his wife Pat

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Page 8

Margaret, Martin’s Twin Sister, writes:

Margaret, Martin’s Twin Sister, writes:Margaret, Martin’s Twin Sister, writes:

Margaret, Martin’s Twin Sister, writes:

I would like to express my thanks to all members of the Old Boys’ Association for their letters and cards on hearing of Martin’s

death. I have been overwhelmed by your kindness and am not able respond to so many of you, particularly as for most, I don’t

have your addresses. However please be assured, your contact is most appreciated. With love and best wishes to you all.

Margaret Nightingale

From the Archives - Happy Campers!

From the Archives - Happy Campers!From the Archives - Happy Campers!

From the Archives - Happy Campers!

Page 9

REFLECTIONS

Left:

Dover ’54, Alan Bilyard; Bernard

Matcham; Bob Verrills; Percy Sore

Below: Charmouth ’57, Sam Smith;

Gordon Davis; Ron Sale; Peter Ellis;

Bernard Matcham

Above:

Charmouth ’57,

Peter Ellis;

Ron Sale; Gordon Davis; Bernard

Matcham; Sam Smith; Alan Verrills.

Left: Charmouth ’59, Alan Verrills;

Dave Swallow; Peter Ellis; Ralph

Price; Brian Taylor; John More;

Martin Dennis

POST

POST POST

POST SCRIPT

SCRIPTSCRIPT

SCRIPT

: We welcome all comments and suggestions on

Reflections

Please contact either Alan Rance:

alan.rance@tiscali.co.uk

01491 839164 or

Dave Richardson:

davri22@gmail.com:

01323 483066

REFLECTIONS

Page 10

An Occasion not to be missed!

Our OB’s Reunions happen only every 2 years, so if you miss this one… we’ll all be just

that bit older next time!

Here are the main details:

Date: Saturday 15

May

Location: Sunday School Halls, Tooting Junction Baptist Church

Time: 2. 00pm ‘till 5.00pm

Whose invited: All OB’s and their families and friends

The Programme: largely one of informality, with ample chance to mix with chums, old and

new.

Optional entertainment: The singing of your favourite BB hymns.

Refreshments: Drinks [non-alcoholic!] and biscuits on arrival.

Mid afternoon we will be served with lush cakes and more drinks

Cost: Nothing, although we hope you will be willing to give a donation to help cover our

expenses

Car Parking: There is very limited car parking at the Church. Roadside parking is available, but

you will need to pay. Unless you park in or around Devonshire Road, SW19 2EJ [a different

Council] where parking is free. You can then reach the halls by walking over the adjacent rail

footbridge

IMPORTANT:

For catering purposes, please let us know if you may be coming

and who you may be bringing. Contact Dave, details as below

Looking forward to meeting you soon!