In 1940 nearly all of the Officers were called up, including Captain Alex Martin who served in the Navy. The Company did however continue to meet through the period of the Second World War despite the difficulties of the time. Mr Charles Richardson took charge of the Company in Alex Martin’s absence.
By 1946 the War was over and the 14th began to rebuild. There was a suggestion that the Company should move from North Street and relocate in the School Wynd Halls. This was rejected for three reason: i. the Church Halls in School Wynd were in high demand and the B.B. may upset many other organisations; ii. North Street was fitted out for B.B. work; iii. Boys would have to travel further.
In 1947 Alex Martin resigned as Captain to spend more time with his plumbing business. Mr Charles Richardson was appointed as the new Captain and served until 1950. His successor was Mr Robert Coulter who “had been through the ranks of the 14th”.
The Company celebrated its Jubliee in February 1950 with a dinner and parade. Former members came from the USA, Canada, Australia, South America and New Zealand to join the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The organising committee were concerned that the Large Hall may not be big enough to seat everyone for dinner. One hundred and eighty attended including five founder members: “For fifty years the work’s been done – carry on, carry on.” At the Church Parade on the Sunday the sermon was titled “Be Ye Steadfast”.
In 1952 Mr Robert Coulter resigned as Captain and was replaced by Mr Frank Scott of the 27th Paisley (South Church). He had been involved with the Boys’ Brigade for twenty five years.
The Battalion held a dinner on 13th February 1952 to mark its Diamond Jubilee. At this time there were eighteen boys, one staff sergeant and three officers in the Company. More members were required and a recruiting campaign was launched. B.B. week raised a record high and donations were sent to foreign missions, the Storm Disaster Fund and the Battalion Jubilee Fund. The 14th put on an item of “Prehistoric Football” at a display held in Love Street Stadium to mark the Battalion’s Diamond Jubilee.
A club night was held on one Friday of each month. Activities included table tennis, darts, International Subbuteo and billiards. The Church was thanked for decorating the Mission Hall.
In 1954 two members of the Company were chosen to attend the Boys’ Brigade International Camp at Eton. The rest of the Company attended a camp in St. Andrews with the 3rd Paisley. A social event for the Boys’ Brigade and Guide Company was also held in this year.
It was reported in 1955 that boys training for the pipe band were doing well. All of the band instructors were members of the Church. The Company took part in the Battalion Summer Football League but did not do too well. It was hoped that the introduction of new strips for the winter league would bring better luck. The 14th offered its assistance with any repaired required to the Mission Hall.
In 1956 there were twenty eight boys on the roll. There was a request for a piano in the back room of the Mission Hall that could be used for Bible Class.
The Rev. John MacKinnon left St. John’s in 1956 and was replaced by Rev. Arthur Gray in 1957. In the same year the Company won the Battalion Scripture Knowledge Trophy for the first time.
The football record of the Company was not staggering but at least the performance in 1958 was consistent even if that meant not winning a game!
The summer camp in 1959 was to Port Rush, Northern Ireland, during which the Company visited Bally Castle and Giant’s Causeway. Everyone except one boy enjoyed this, as he required an appendix operation.
In 1960 the Company celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a number of events including a dinner for former members.
The 14th won the Battalion Scripture Knowledge trophy for the third time in succession in 1961, the fourth time in five years. A joint camp toCarnoustie with the 2nd Paisley was held. At the Display in 1961 Mr John Buchanan donated a special table cover to mark the Diamond Jubilee. This cover is still used today. Indeed the Centenary birthday cake was placed on it in the Church at the 100th Birthday Service.
A camp was held in 1962 wih the 2nd Paisley to Stonehaven. Twenty eight boys and ten members of staff attended. It was reported that the boy’s football team beat the staff 4-3.
The Company purchased new football strips in 1963. These comprised of amber jerseys, black shorts and socks to match.
Mr Frank Scott resigned as Captain in 1963 and Mr Gerald Shaw was appointed as Acting Captain in 1964 with a staff that were “young, zestful and efficient”.
In 1966 Rev. Arthur Gray left St. John’s and was replacd by Rev. Alexander Geddes.
The Life Boys changed their name to the Junior Section in 1967 and for the first time the Junior Section and Company Section held a joint Display.
Mr James Clark was appointed as Captain in 1967. He held this post until resigning in 1969 when Mr Robert Thomson was appointed Acting Captain.
The Boys’ Brigade introduced a new badge system in 1969 with much criticised plastic badges. A Jumble Sale with the Guides to raise funds and a camp to Glen Douglas near Inverbeg was also held in this year.
In 1970 the 14th entered the first Battalion Midnight Challenge and came fourth out of twenty six.
On 1st November 1970 the Company wore the new regulation hats at the Battalion Parade.
After some considerable discussion, a controversial decision was reached and the 14th relocated t the Halls in School Wynd.
The Company was in difficulty by 1971 as numbers in both the Junior Section and the Company Section were very low.
Mr John G Stewart of the 4th Paisley (Glenburn Parish) was appointed Captain in 1972.
A vaulting marathon was held to raise funds in 1972 and the Company played host to the staff of Marks and Spencer by supplying them with tea and cakes as a gas leak had resulted in an evacuation of the store.
In 1973 a Company newsletter called “The Bugle” was issued. In the same year the Company Section attended Francie & Josie’s Party in the Glasgow Pavilion and went on to what was to be the first of many camps to Montrose House, Balmaha. Two New Year resolutions were set at the start of 1974:
· The football team will win a game.
· The Company will continue to grow into its 75th year.
By 1974 numbers were rebuilding and there were a total of sixty boys in the Junior and Company Sections. Another recruiting campaign was launched with a special appeal to the Church for more boys and officers. This was called “Bring more in ’74 to reach 75 for ‘75”. A Lads and Dads night was held and the Parents & Friends Association was established in this year.
The Battalion Church Parade was to St. John’s in 1974.
On a trip to Ayr one boy became locked in the toilet at Burns Cottage and another fell into a boating pond.
At the start of session 1974/1975 the Pre-Junior Section was set up for boys aged between six and eight. Controversially the Bible Class was moved to a Friday night.
In 1975 the 14th celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a number of events including a dinner and parade at which the Brigade President, Lord Elgin, attended. Mrs Nan Ritchie also donated the Company Colours in memory of her late husband. To mark the 75th Anniversary, the Company donatedhymn books to the Church, most of which were in use until very recently at Oakshaw Trinity. A camp to Guernsey with the 27th Paisley was held in the summer of 1975.
Badminton was offered to boys on a Saturday afternoon and this was run by Mr & Mrs Carchrie. The pipe band was also restarted. The Battalion Church Parade was again to St. John’s in 1975.
By 1976 the Company Section programme was as follows:
Monday – Table Tennis
Tuesday – Christian Education
Wednesday – Swimming
Thursday – Band Practice
Friday – Fishing, Chess, Model Making, Stamp Collecting, Bible Class, Drill, P.T., First Aid & Games
Saturday – Table Tennis, Football & Badminton
Sunday – Band Practice
The Junior Section performed the show “HMS Ridiculous” in 1976. A Senior Section of eight boys was also formed, their main focus being expedition work.
The Pre-Junior Section were now called the Beavers. The 14th staff were becoming very involved at Battalion level by serving on a number of committees.
In 1977 all of the boys in the Company were presented with Boys’ Brigade badges to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. The Company performed the show “Rule Brittania”, which was a great success. The first afternoon for senior members of the congregation was held in this year.
By 1978 the Beavers were officially recognised and it was hoped that the whole section would soon be wearing the new red jumpers. The total Company strength was seventy nine boys. The 14th was to take part in the first stage of an exchange visit with the FDF/FPF who were from Gladsaxe in Denmark, one of Paisley’s twin towns.
In 1979 the Boys’ Brigade launched its “First for Boys” recruiting campaign and the Company played an active part in this. Space was becoming a problem in the halls on a Friday night so the Beavers moved across School Wynd to meet in the Congregational Church. A camp to the Isle of Wight with the 5th Paisley was held in the summer of 1979. Also in this year the Rev. Alexander Geddes left St. John’s.
The Rev. Ian S Currie was appointed minister of St. John’s and Chaplain to the 14th Paisley in 1980. The Company celebrated its 80th Anniversary with a number of events including a dinner and a mum’s night. The Company also donated flower pedestals to the Church and these are now used on a regular basis in Oakshaw Trinity. For the first time the 14th took part in the second stage of an exchange visit with the FDF/FPF by going to Gladsaxe in the summer of 1980.