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A History of the Arm Lads Brigade"A Legacy of Pride"
Durrell is an insular community of Twillingate Island South, located on Newfoundland's northeast coast just at the entrance to Notre Dame Bay. Most of it's 850 citizens today know what the letters ALB stand for.
Who in their wildest dreams would have imagined that Durrell would become the place of origin of the prestigious organization known as the Arm Lads Brigade? Almost a century ago few realized that a meeting in the net loft of a fish store on a small island in the body of water known as Durrell's Arm would impact the lives and character of so many people in the Twillingate area. At this meeting in the spring of 1908 the seeds of the Arm Lads Brigade were sown.
In 1908 a British war veteran of the Boer War (1899-1902) whose home was Jersey, Channel Islands , England visited Durrell. His name and reason for visiting this remote outport are a mystery today. In his one month stay in Durrell also known as the "Arm" he noticed the lack of discipline and fatalistic attitude of the young boys of the community. His solution to the problem was to create an organization where the boys could assemble regularly to socialize, learn self discipline and participate in physical activity. Through the Arm Lads Brigade he hoped that they would develop a sense of self-esteem, self worth and ultimately self- actualization. From his military experience the soldier introduced military drills, training and physical fitness.
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The Arm Lads Brigade Hall.1910
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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The young "Lads" met three nights a week in the net loft of a fish store on Howlett's Island, a small islet in Durrell's Arm.To Join the Arm Lads Brigade a lad must have been ten years old or older, pay the joining fee and ten cents per month thereafter and be a resident of Durrell. Later on march 27, 1941 the Executive Committee of the Arm Lads Brigade passed the following motion " that any Lad who wanted to join Outside the Arm (Durrell) could do so providing he lived on Twillingate Island, was ten years old and paid the required fees."
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Troake, Wilfred Captain of the Arm Lads Brigade.1946
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Training began according to the Spartan Philosophy: "A sound mind; a sound body". The eager boys were "anxious for physical fitness and discipline, and were willing to learn. Military drills soon became an integral part of the regular program.The Boer war Veteran, the "mystery man", left an indelible impression after such a short stay. Other community leaders recognized the value of the training the lads were receiving and came forward to continue the movement.
Captain William J. Minty was first Captain of the Arm Lads Brigade, assisted by George Rogers, formerly with the Royal Navy. The other first officers were William Waterman 1st Lieutenant, Joseph White, 2nd Lieutenant and Pearce Pond, Sergeant Major.
The photograph adjacent of a later Captain, Wilfred Troke, illustrates the uniform worn by the Captain of the Arm Lads Brigade.
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Form B Recruiting List of the Arm Lads Brigade.1909
Twillingate, North Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
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On April 10, 1909, the Agreement between parents/guardians of the first recruits and officers and Executive Committee of the Arm Lads Brigade was drawn up, duly signed and witnessed.8
ALB Form A Parental consent form.1909
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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The first list of Lads, which amounted to forty-four young men and boys ten years or older, was endorsed and officially adopted.10
ALB Rules and Regulations booklet.1948
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Rules and Regulations of the Arm Lads Brigade.1910
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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A list of 14 Rules and regulations was printed in a pocket sized red book entitled Rules and Regulations of the Arm Lads Brigade. Every Lad received a copy and was required to study it and "know it well".13
Rules and Regulations of the Arm Lads Brigade.1910
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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The Arm Lads Brigade Armoury in 1974.1974
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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