| Administrative History | The Boys Brigade movement was founded by William Smith in1883 to form volunteer brigades to provide interest for and instil obedience, discipline and self-respect in older children attending Sunday Schools. They were based on military principles, with emphasis on strict discipline, drill parades, camps, gymnastics and sport, but always maintaining strong Christian values.
The Creswell Boys Brigade seems to have been established at the turn of the 20th century, with at least two companies of boys. It was strongly supported by the Bolsover Colliery Co. Ltd, which even built a drill hall for it in 1903, and it also enjoyed the patronage of the Duke of Portland. The Brigade was disbanded in 1971. |
| Custodial History | The records were made available to Creswell Library in 1979. They were transferred to the Derbyshire Record Office in February 2004. |