The 24th Old Boys' Association

In 1945, representations were made to the BB Captain about forming an Old Boys' Association, so that former members could preserve the comradeship they had enjoyed in the ranks. The Association was formally constituted on 3rd October 1945, with its object the preservation and development of the BB spirit. It had its own constitution and book of rules.

The Association's great achievement was the Company Hut. Members proposed to purchase and erect a hut adjacent to the church halls; the plan was delayed a year by the Air Raid Shelters standing on the site, but once these were demolished the hut was built — old boys carrying out much of the work themselves to save the Company expense. It was formally opened by Mrs. E. Downie on 30th November 1946, and served as the Association's headquarters. "The hut," as it was affectionately known, eventually made way for the expansion of church premises.

Old Boys have always been willing helpers, whether or not holding office in the Company.

Over the years the Association ran Sunday afternoon Bible Class, football, table tennis, darts, snooker, film shows and social evenings. The 21st Anniversary Reunion in March 1966 was marked with a Service of Thanksgiving and the dedication of a pulpit, Bible and markers to the church. By the Golden Jubilee the Association was in its 32nd year.

The football club that grew from the 24th

One branch of the old boys took on a life of its own. In 1922, former members of the 24th Belfast formed a football club — the "24th O.B." — which played on for generations. In 1990 it changed its name to Bloomfield upon joining the Amateur League. Today Bloomfield FC, nicknamed the Purple Army, runs one of Northern Ireland's largest academy set-ups, with hundreds of boys and girls playing every week — a remarkable living legacy of the Company.