Dr. Khoo Oon Teik, first saw the idea of Boys’ Brigade while studying medicine in Singapore. He eventually shared the idea about starting a Boys’ Brigade Company during family dinner with his father, Reverend Khoo Cheng Hoe. The idea was well-accepted and Dr. Khoo was tasked to contact Singapore Boys’ Brigade for information and assistance (Mr. James Fraser), while Reverend Khoo lobbied for the church as the sponsoring authority.

The proposal of starting a Boys’ Brigade Company was approved by the Local Church Executive Committee of Madras Lane Chinese Methodist Church and recruitment for boys and officers kick-started.

July 20, First Penang Company was officially enrolled by the London Boys’ Brigade Headquarters, and thus marks the official beginning of the Boys’ Brigade movement in Malaya. Mr. Geh Hun Kheng was appointed the Captain; Reverend Khoo became the Chaplain and the English Congregation of the Madras Lane Chinese Methodist Church acting as the Sponsoring Authority of First Penang Company.

August 7, the inaugural Enrolment Service took place where four officers received their Letter of Appointment and the Boys were officially enrolled to be members of First Penang Company.

The company also received tremendous support from Mr. Robert Gordon Davis and Mr. John Pudney, both servicemen from the Reoccupation Allied Forces based in Penang, in recruitment and running of the Brigade activities. Mr. Davis even gave recruitment talks over Radio Malaya as well as in Anglo Chinese Primary School.

By November, First Penang Company has 47 Boys and 11 Officers.

Navy blue uniform was introduced to replace the white uniform.

Mr. Ho Weng Hong became Captain in 1947 and the leadership was then passed to Mr. Khoo Oon Lock in 1948.

Mr. Khoo Oon Soo received the leadership baton in 1950. He had the opportunity to attend the Boys’ Brigade Training Centre in Avon Terrel while he was in London before returning to Penang.

In 1951, the First Penang Company Band was formed with the assistance of bandmaster Mr. Scott. It was a bugle band and performed for the first time at the Youth Parade before the District Commissioner.

The band also participated in Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Celebration on June 2, 1953.

Mr. Khoo Oon Eng was appointed Captain in 1953. His brother, Mr. Khoo Oon Theam, then received the leadership baton of the company in 1954, when the former left for theology training. Mr. Khoo Gim Teik, then, took over the Captaincy of the company in 1956 until 1961.

On August 31, 1957, when Malaya achieved its independence, First Penang Company was part of the 200-member band and contingent that participated in the Merdeka Parade and Route March in Kuala Lumpur.

1957 also marks another milestone for First Penang Company when the English Congregation in the Madras Lane Chinese Methodist Church was admitted to the Malayan Annual Conference to become Penang Trinity Methodist Church. Thus, the Sponsoring Authority of First Penang Company is now Penang Trinity Methodist Church.

In the fifties, First Penang Company produced six Queen’s Badge recipients. They were Staff Sergeant Oon Hock Chye, Corporal Khoo Gim Seng, Corporal Chan Peng Kee, Staff Sergeant Tan Teik Lock, Sergeant Khoo Cheok Sin and Sergeant Tan Choo Keng. The Queen’s Badge was the highest award for Boys in the Brigade and was subsequently replaced with the Founder’s Award.

Mr. Choo Cheng Hock became the Captain of First Penang Company.

In the seventies, First Penang Company recorded more than 100 Boys on the membership roll and the band was performing with the strength of 80 Boys. The company played an active role in the Penang Battalion Combined Band.

September 11, 1976, First Penang Company celebrated its 30th Anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, a Charity Fund was launched.

In 1979, Mr. K. Sundra became the Captain.

In 1980, Mr. Khoo Gim Teik and Mr. K. Sundra were awarded the Gold Service Award (25 years) and Bronze Service Award (15 years) respectively, for their valuable contribution as Officers to First Penang Company.

Mr. Tan Eng Huat took over the leadership baton in 1982. The following year, Mr. S Sivaraj became the Captain of First Penang Company.

Fifteen boys from First Penang Company participated in the East Asia Regional Fellowship Centenary Camp in 1983, in conjunction with the centenary celebration of the Boys’ Brigade movement.

The company was defunct in the late eighties.

In 1992, First Penang Company was revived under the leadership of Mr. Khoo Cheok Kau as Captain, with four Officers and three Boys. The “first” meeting was held on May 10.

As the Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 1996, First Penang Company made its first comeback appearance in the Boys’ Brigade community by participating in the Golden Jubilee Dinner and Pesta.

In 1997, Sergeant Victor Abel Malayapillay and Sergeant Daniel Khoo received the Tokoh Belia Methodist Award.

 

Beginning 2004, First Penang Company was given the opportunity to begin Brigade activities in Haji Zainul Abidin School.

First Penang Company celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2006 by laying a time capsule in the church and published the commemorative book “First Anchored in Penang”. In the Thanksgiving Service on August 6, the old Company Colour was laid up and the new First Penang Company Colour was commissioned and blessed by the Chaplain.

Mr. Khoo Cheok Kau was awarded the Gold Service Award (20 years) in 2006 and continued to serve as Captain until 2007, the longest Captain of First Company to date. Mr. Edwin Kee became Captain in 2008.

Since 2000, First Penang Company has also produced numerous high-achievers in the Brigade. Staff Sergeant Wan Chang Da received the Founder’s Award in 2001 while Sergeant Low Sher Peng (2003), Sergeant John Ahizer Teh (2006) and Corporal Melvin Teoh (2007) received the President’s Award.

In 2009, Mr. Daniel Khoo became the Captain of First Penang Company and Mr. Khoo Cheok Kau was appointed Honorary Captain.

Version 1.6 : 20 April 2009

 

Extracted from “First Anchored in Penang” and “First Fifty”