Swagger Stick
Church Lad's Brigade Archives and Museum
Tous droits réservés.
| Nom de l'objet : | Swagger Stick |
| Type de l'objet : | Stick, Swagger |
| Classification de l'objet : | Man-made Artefact |
| Catégorie de l'objet : | Personal Artefacts |
| Sous-catégorie de l'objet : | Personal Gear |
| Discipline : | History Local History Material Culture |
| Matériaux : | Silver Wood Lacquer |
| Technique de fabrication : | Cut Shaped Lacquered |
| Numéro d'accession : | NoAccession16 |
| Province d'utilisation : | Newfoundland and Labrador Pre-confederation Newfoundland |
| Pays d'utilisation : | Canada Dominion of Newfoundland |
| Culture : | Canadian Pre-confederation Newfoundland |
| Secteur géo-culturel : | North America |
| Contexte culturel : | Para-Military Uniform |
| Date de début de production : | c 1890s |
| Date de fin de production : | c 1900s |
| Période : | Late 19th Century and Early 20th Century |
| Description : | This artefact is a turn of the century Church Lad`s Brigade swagger stick. The stick has been made from wood that has been coated in a black lacquer. The stick tappers in diameter from the top cap to the end cap. The top cap is made from silver and has the CLB device emblazoned on it. The device, containing the CLB motto ``Fight the Good Fight, `` is set atop a furled banner that reads ``Church Lad`s Brigade. `` Under the device four silver marks have been stamped. The first mark is illegible; the second is the depiction of an anchor; the third a lion; and the fourth is a circle with a slash through it. The device has been surmounted by the royal crown associated with the Queen. The end cap appears to have been made out of a tin alloy. It has been kept in place by the use of two small nails that punch through the metal. |
| Commentaires : | The Church Lad's Brigade was established in Newfoundland in 1892, one year after the formation of the Brigade in England. The first company of the Brigade was formed in St. John's and given the designation 'A' Company #119. The Brigade was formed by Harold Blacklar who obtained permission to form a Church Lad's Brigade from the Bishop, after he had approached a Mr. Thompson who did not encourage its formation. Though Blacklar formed the brigade he did not head it as one of the officers. The first commanding officer of the St. John's Brigade was Captain W.S. Melville. The first meeting hall of the CLB was in Blacklar's home at 72 George Street. Blacklar recorded the names of the first 34 boys to join the brigade. William Curnew was among the first to join and was given the brigade number of 25. Blacklar also recorded the fees each lad was subject to the cost of the uniform he was issued and was to pay for over his first year. Each member had to pay a 50 cent entrance fee, and a further 5 cents per week. On top of that his uniform cost him 25 cents for the navy blue and yellow pillbox cap; 50 cents for the navy blue jersey; 5 cents for the haversack; and a further 25 cents for the leather belt and buckle. Their blue britches with yellow stripe and the puttees were supplied to the boys by the Brigade Quarter Masters stores. The Brigade was unfortunate in the timing of its formation, being the same year as the Great Fire that devastated much of the city. As a result there was a lack of money to fund the Brigade. In response to this the heads of the St. John's group wrote to Brigade Head Quarters in England, who in turn sent equipment to the Newfoundland Brigade as a New Years gift. With the Brigade up and running the meetings were moved from Harold Blacklar's home to the basement of the Mission Room on Springdale Street. Eventually the roll began to drop off and the Brigade was left with only a handful of "Old Faithfuls," as they were nicknamed. During the early years of the Brigade Capt. Melville worked tirelessly to keep the group going. By 1893 the Brigade had moved their headquarters to the Johnson and West Firm store that was located near the Harwood Lumber Company; this became their No. 2 Armoury. The Brigade's training equipment remained rudimentary with rifle drill consisting of the use of broomsticks and dumbbells. In the summer of 1893 the CLB held its first camp at Topsail. Held at the Retreat Cottage, the site came to be known as Green's Haunted House by many of the lads. The following year the Brigade held the first of its Topsail camps in tents or "under Canvas" as it was commonly referred to. The camp was attended by 40 lads and 3 officers who marched from St. John's to Topsail a trip that lasted from 8 Am to 3 PM. By 1895 the Brigade had again moved locations, this time to the old butterine factory near St. Josephs Church in the East End of the city. By 1899 the Bridge had established their armoury on King Street and during the surrounding years the CLB band, started in 1894, increased in popularity throughout the city. A number of officers and lad's answered Britain's call for men during the Boer War, including the Brigade's original Commanding Officer, Major Melville. In 1910 the Brigade had an armoury built on Harvey Road, which served as their main base of operations in St. John's until 1992 when it was destroyed by fire. |
| Fonctions : | This Swagger Stick was used by William Curnew at the turn of the century as part of his Church Lad's Brigade uniform. |
| Longueur : | 70.5 |
| Largeur : | 1.5 |
| Unité de mesure linéaire : | cm |
| Nombre d'objets : | 1 |
| Nombre de parties composantes : | 3 |
| Nom des parties composantes : | Cap Stick End Cap |
| Étiquette ou poinçon : | C.L.B. Crest Anchor Lion Circle with a slash through it |
| Établissement : | Church Lad's Brigade Archives and Museum |
| Ville de l'établissement : | St. John's |
| Province de l'établissement : | Newfoundland and Labrador |
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