Announcement  issued to all Boys’ Brigade Companies – Tuesday 12th May 1914

Lord Guthrie, President of The Boys’ Brigade, and The Brigade Executive deeply regret to announce that Sir William A Smith died suddenly in London on Sunday morning.

He arrived in London from Glasgow on Wednesday evening, and was present at the Annual Demonstration at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday last, which was presided over by H.S.H. Prince Alexander of Teck.

On Friday morning he appeared to be in his usual health, and while attending a meeting of the Brigade Executive in the London Office that afternoon, was suddenly taken ill, and gradually became unconscious. He was immediately attended by Dr. A.E. Morison, a Member of the Executive, who was present at the meeting, and was subsequently conveyed to St. Bartholemew’s Hosptial, which is within a few hundred yards of the Ofice. He recieved every attention from the Hospital Staff, and was attended by Dr. Garrod and Dr. James Calvert. Sit William, however, never regained consciousness, and passed away at 6.30 am on Sunday morning, the cause of heath being haemorrhage on the brain. Both sons of Sir William were present in London during his illness.

A Memorial Service will be held in St Paul’s Cathederal, London, on Friday 15th inst., at 8pm. All particulars of this service will be posted to Companies in the London District, and Officers of Companies outside this area may obtain tickets of admission on application to the London Secretary, 34 Paternoster Row.

The Funeral, at which the Glasgow Battalion will parade, will take place in Glasgow on Saturday, 16th inst., at 3.30pm, from College and Kelvingrove United Free Church to the Western Necropolis. Officers abd Representative Detachments outside the Glasgow area desiring to attend the Funeral will kindly notify Head-Quarters as soon as possible, when instructions will be sent them.

A Memorial Service, at which Lord Guthrie will deliver and Appreciation, will be held in St. Andrew’s Hall, Glasgow, on Sunday , 17th inst., at 2.30pm. Visiting Officers are invited to be present. Admission will be by ticket, to be obtained from the Brigade Headquarters, 30 George Square, Glasgow.

At both Memorial Services and at the Funeral, Officers will wear Boys’ Brigade Uniform, with a black crape band, 3 1/4″ wide, round the left arm, above the elbow. They will wear the usual tan gloves and carry canes. This band will be worn by Officers when in uniform until the end of August. Staff-Sergeants, NCO’s and Boys attending the Funeral will wear black ties, but no bands on the arm. Rifles will not be carried.

Floral tributes, which should be strictly limited, and in no case sent by individuals or Companies, may be addressed to College and Kelvingrove Church, Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow.

On Behalf of the Executive, J.A. Roxburgh. Brigade Vice-President.