In 1952 the Captain of the 12th West Kent Company, H.J. Broughton, moved to Maidstone and in March 1953. Towards the end of 1955 the church he attended, Maidstone Baptist, was getting concerned about the decline in numbers at the Sunday School. They asked him for his ideas and he immediately suggested that they consider starting a Boys' Brigade Company. He told them that they must make up their own minds about the B.B. and suggested that they should visit a Company to see for themselves. Two of the church deacons accompanied him to the 1st Tonbridge Company's Bible Class. They came away convinced and recommended to the Church that a Company should be formed.
The first staff meeting for the proposed Company was held on 23rd March 1956 where it was reported that the recruiting night had been fixed for the 26th September.
In Maidstone preparations for the recruiting night were nearing completion. During the summer a few activities had been held for Boys from the church who were regarded as prospective members. The week prior to the evening a large window display in a local shop was arranged. Local schools had been contacted and had agreed to put up posters
A public meeting was held at the church the evening before the recruiting night to launch the Company. The two Brigade films "Sure and Stedfast" and "Celebration Year" were shown and the future plans for the proposed Company were given by one of the prospective Officers who, until recently had been the Brigade organiser in Southern Rhodesia and Captain of the 1st Bulawayo Company.
The two films were again shown the following evening and at the close of the proceedings some thirty Boys had requested to be considered for membership. Six weeks later the Southern District Organiser recommended their enrolment, which was approved on The 5th November. By the end of the month the Company had reached capacity and a waiting list was opened.
At the end of June 1959 the 1st Maidstone held their first weekend camp for the Boys who were taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. The weather was definitely not at its best but the camp itself was successful.
Since 1957, the 1st Maidstone had been attending camp with the West Kent Battalion and the invitation had been extended to the North Kent Group after its reformation.
North Kent Battalion's first Church Parade on May 8th did not quite go according to plan. The March past, after the service at Knightrider Street Baptist Church Maidstone, had to be cancelled because of torrential rain. The weather, however, did not affect the attendance of the parade and extra chairs had to be taken in to the already crowded church.
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