A Centenary · 1927 — 2027

One company.
A hundred years of Belfast boys.

Founded at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on 14th October 1927, the 24th Belfast has gathered boys into camp, band and parade for very nearly a century. As we approach our centenary, we're collecting the memories that made it.

1927Founded 14 October
2027Our centenary
54In the first session
Our Story

A century, decade by decade

Drag along the rail to travel through the Company's history. Gold markers note the milestones — founding, captains, camps and the boys who carried the colours.

1927

The Company forms

Born 14 October under Captain Lendrick McMaster; 54 enrolled in the first session.

1929

First camp

Eleven boys attend Battalion Ganaway Camp.

1934

First King's Badges

Three boys awarded the Brigade's highest honour.

1945

Old Boys & first Company camp

The Old Boys' Association forms; first Company camp at Carnlough.

1952

The Downie era

Harry Downie succeeds McMaster after 25 years.

1963

Captain Trevor Wilson

One of the youngest captains in the Battalion takes command.

1975

Band triumphant

First in the Junior Band Competition; canoes and a minibus acquired.

1977

Golden Jubilee

50 years marked with an Inspection and Parade of Past Members.

1977–2027

The next fifty years

Help us fill in this chapter →

2027

Our Centenary

One hundred years of the 24th Belfast.

Read the full history   Records & rolls of honour

Memories Wall

The company scrapbook

Photographs, stories and clips sent in by old boys, leaders and families — moderated, then pinned here for everyone to enjoy. These are a few from our archive to start things off.

The Company, 1927
The Company, 1927Our founding year
Ganaway camp, 1933
Ganaway camp1933
Port Erin camp, 1957
Port ErinIsle of Man, 1957
Junior Bugle Band winners, 1976
Junior Bugle Band winners1976

See the full Memories Wall

Share a Memory

Were you a 24th Belfast boy or leader?

Send us a photo, a story or a short video. We read every submission and add the approved ones to the Memories Wall — building the scrapbook together, one memory at a time.

Open the submission form