The Anchor Volume 1

History is an important part of our identitied. Some of us in 3rd KL (well, the Old Boys anyway) have been trying to compile more of Company's history in recent months (was in preparation for the Company's 70th anniversary). As such, we wanted to dig out as much as possible about the Company's formative years.

This is my 3rd attempt (basically every anniversary this effort reawakens). We've already know that YMCA records are unavailable - even files from BBM from way back then are no longer available Information from London HQ has all been destroyed. So the only official avenues now are from The Anchor Magazine. 

For the longest time, we have not been able to find the first volume. It is feared that it was lost forever. 

Then - a break. We reached out to Mr Alfred Ong of the Kuala Lumpur Stedfast Association - son of the Anchor Magazine's first editor and former BBM President (from 1st Teluk Anson Company - today called Teluk Intan). On 15th September 2026, he graciously invited us to him home to scan the one available copy. He did not want, for very understandable reason, to remove it from his property for fears it may never be seen again (as was the case for a few editions, it seems). I purchase a new printer on the day for the occasion (which turned out a little too big - a HP OfficeJet Pro 9730 in case you are interested to know how big). 

The scanning process took 2 hours (another 2 hours before that was figuring out how to get the scanner to work as the drivers weren't working!). Mr Darryn Chiew, former 3rd KL rank-and-file/officer who is now captain of 2nd KL, helped with digitalisation process. 

After a few days of cropping and formatting, I'm pleased to present you with the digitised Anchors from Volume 1. Click the thumbnail to download. 

The very first Anchor magazine - Vol. 1, No. 1 July 1959

Vol. 1, No. 2, 1959

Vol. 1, No. 3, 1960

Vol. 1, No. 4, 1960

Vol. 1, No. 5, 1960

Vol. 1, No. 6, 1961

Vol. 1, No. 7, 1961

Vol. 1, No. 8, 1961

Vol. 1, No. 9, 1961

A special thanks to Mr Alfred Ong, Secretary of the Stedfast Association of Kuala Lumpur for graciously allowing us to scan this treasure piece! 

Note: The three of us also discussed the possibility of reviving the Anchor magazine itself. Would you be keen to see this project come true and for copies of The Achor to be circulating throughout BBM once again? Let me know!

PS: I know the Volume numbers in these ones found further complicate what I said in my post on 17 July 2026. But for now, let's appreciate the fact that there were individuals keen to do this at all. Yes, things might not have been perfect - but what matters more is the effort undertaken and the stories they have recorded.