The 8th North Staffs Company was founded on 12th November 1909 by Harold J. Plant (a deeply committed Christian and a Director of R.H. & S.L. Plant Pottery – "Tuscan Works", Longton). The Company was based at the Stafford Street Wesleyan Chapel which is now the Longton Methodist Central Hall.
The Life Boys which, in 1966 became the Junior Section started on the 27th February 1934.
The Anchor Section was started on 30th November 1982.
In its 100 year history the 8th Company has the distinction of having had only four Captains:
| Harold J. Plant | 1909 to 1923 (later became Battalion President) |
| Harold Whiston | 1923 to 1964 (one of the original members of the Coy) |
| Anthony Nichols | 1964 to 1978 (later became Battalion President) |
| Kevin Ford | 1978 to Present ( the current Battalion President) |
The Company was known as the "shiny 8th" and over the years has won all the major Battalion trophies including the Battalion Colours.
In 1963/4 the 8th Company, led by Mr. Alan Kearvall, won the West Midland District Drill Competition which was held in the grounds of the home of Sir Alfred Owen, West Midlands District President and Chairman of the Rubery Owen Company which ran the BMW Motor Racing Team that had Graham Hill as its main driver.
In 1975 the 8th Company Band won all the major trophies in the West Midland Band Contest which was held at Thistley Hough High School, Penkhull.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Company, a party of Boys and Officers hired two boats and spent a week cruising the Norfolk Broads. To celebrate the Millennium, a party of Boys, Officers and supporters successfully completed the Lyke Wake Walk, a walk of 40 miles across the North Yorkshire Moors from Scarth Wood Moor (Osmotherly) to the coast at Ravenscar, which has to be completed in 24 hours.
