The Company began as the 1st Birmingham Boys Life Brigade Company,  and arose from a request by two Boys to Donald Finnemore.  At the first meeting  on 30th September 1913, there were 18 Boys and 2 Officers.

In October 1926, the BB and BLB were united and as there was also a 1st Birmingham BB company, an 'A' was added and the Company became the 1st A Birmingham BB.  Sir Donald Finnemore was a guiding force in the almalgamation of the two organisations.