Writing a diary or journalling is not an interest the typical individual would have. After all, it is tideous - almost like doing unnecessary self-imposed homework of sorts. Occasionally, we have individuals who take the effort in noting down key (even mundane) events that take place around them. For with a keen interest in history, these records are gold.
Yesterday, 4th November 2026, I had the chance to view the late Tan Teik Hock's logbook. He was president of BBM from 1965 to 1973 and the founder of 3rd Penang and 1st Nibong Tebal. The logbook is under the care of my friend from 1st Penang, Dr Wan Chang Da. It seems, before Mr Tan passed away, he entrusted its care to him and him alone - not even to BBM.
In 1996 when BBM celebrated its 50th anniversary, it commissioned a history book written by historian Prof Danny Wong from University of Malaya (who's also a Founder's Badge recipient from 2nd Kota Kinabalu). Much of this history book's content and photos were from this logbook.
Needless to say, it was exciting for me to gaze upon it. Afterall, I was working on piecing together 3rd KL's own history and was hoping to find some gold nuggets here. And boy, was I rewarded.
While understandbly, Teik Hock's logbook was very 2nd Penang, 3rd Penang, and 1st Nibong Tebal centric, bring his personal account of his time in BB, there were also numerous records of his time at the national level, for occasions like officers' training and AGMs. The one above would've created some excitement in 3rd KL - as both the first and second captains of the Company - Mr Paul Peter and Mr Stanley Woodruff, were seated side-by-side (first row, 3rd and 4th from the left).
There were many such photos. The ones with Boys were limited to his own companies and national camps, the latter of which, while Paul Peter is easy to spot, identifying 3rd KL Boys of the era was far more challenging.
The best thing, for me, about Tan Teik Hock's logbook came literally right at the end - his last entry and last two page of his (I think F4 paper-sized) logbook was of the 1st National Band Competition.
As far as I know, we have never seen a single photo of 3rd KL's very first Ipswich Bugle Shield victory of 1966. Now, we finally have them.
Really thankful for the late Tan Teik Hock for his diligence. 3rd KL is blessed.
I intend to scan the whole logbook for the benefit of others who are interested in history (but wah lau, 100s of pages and with high quality scan, it's going to take awhile). Stay tuned!
