BB night 2010

anrolment service 2009

Recuitment camp 2009

Picnic @ Starhill Resort

Enrolment

Awards Day

1st Kulai 50th Anniversary Celebrations

1st Kulai Company began in 1957. 4 persons are our co-founders. Mr. Swanston, Mr. A.S. Muthiah, Late Miss Richards & the late Miss Lovell. A very special guest was one of our co-founders, now Rev. A.S. Muthiah. He shared stories from the early days especially of a grand 1st Merdeka celebration that was held at Kulai grounds in late '57 or early '59. Of course 1st Kulai was present at this important ceremony where the late Tun Sambathan who represented the Tunku and the federal government. Mr. Swanston was interviewed and an audio recording is available at our website.

On the night of 3rd March 2007, a grand celebration was held at Foon Yew High School Hall in Kulai. About 550 people turned up. Indeed this celebration was made all the more meaningful by the presence of each and everyone especially our 'old' boys - the alumni of 1st Kulai company. We had representation from our sister companies nearby and of course Boys Brigade Malaysia. These lent a spirit of comradeship to the evening.

The evening was also used to raise funds for 1st Kulai especially for the band. Our band has the distinction of being the only brass band in Kulai District. Funds were raised through the usual sale of tables, souvenirs, & personal donations. An additional element of fun & fund raising was when paintings by one of our officers, WO Tan Wee Ling were auctioned off. It was very interesting when bids came fast and furious as people tried to outdo one another. 10 paintings were auctioned and the winners were not only those who were successful in their bid but also 1st Ku1ai.
Apart from the co-founder, Rev. A.S. Muthiah, the government was also represented by Mr. Tan Nai Soon personal aide to YB Datuk Lim Si Cheng. We are grateful for Mr Tan presence as he congratulated us on our 50th Anniversary and encouraged us with a
grant from YB Datuk Lim.

The evening was indeed a night to remember as it birthed the 1st Kulai Alumni network. Arising out of this we have our very own website and blog at http://1stkulaibb.blogspot.com/ & the blog: http://brigade-alumni.kulai.com/ . Do log in and check it out.

The Boys Brigade is a valuable ministry that does much to mold the lives of young people. Testimony after testimony proves the positive role that the BB has played in the life of many who are today responsible adults. Discipline & character building are the gifts we offer to young people today in Kulai through the BB.

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have supported us in our celebrations by your presence, greetings, gifts & words of encouragement. We must mention the big role played by our big brother, the Boys Brigade of Malaysia who helped us to get back on our feet when we went through difficulties. Praise be to God for each one of you.

Written by
Rev. Benedict Muthusamy, Chaplain,
1st Kulai Boys Brigade Company.

Video Clips - 50th Celebration

Reunion – 3rd march 2007



Kick-Off

Note: YouTube videos require broadband access. DVD quality video DVD can be purchased from the present BB executive officers.

50th Year Anniversary Celebration

The Boys Brigade of 1st Kulai Company will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary/Reunion.

Date & Time: 6PM, Saturday, March 3rd 2007.

Venue: Foon Yew High School, Kulai,
Lot 1591,1592&1063(Zon24),
Jalan Persiaran Indahpura 6,
Taman Indahpura,
81000 Kulai,
Johor,Malaysia.

Contact: Tan Wee Ling
ksck.wltan@myjaring.net
HP +60 12 7223410

Greeting From Founder Mr. James Swanston

from J SWANSTON 8:13 pm
to TS Han

date Mar 2, 2007 8:13 PM

subject Re: Hello Founder of 1st Kulai

signed-by btinternet.com

Dear Mr. Han,
Thank you very much for your patience on our phone calls today. I have just managed to open your e-mail because I was having problems with my PC and had to spend 2 hours on the phone to the bt expert in India before getting it sorted out.

I am not very clever on these wonderful machines but I shall try to access the blog site.
I hope the celebrations go very well tomorrow, and I would ask you to convey my sincere best wishes to all the people who may remember me and Catherine (my wife) who I did not mention in my family list on the phone.

It has been wonderful to keep in contact with Tay Soon Moy and please give her our kind regards and hope that she keeps well.

Our home address is:
Old Mill House,
Newton Blossomville, Turvey,
Bedford, U.K.

With all best wishes and many thanks for working so hard to contact us,

Yours sincerely,
Jim Swanston

Telephone Interview With Founder Mr. James Swanston

Telephone Interview with Founder Mr. James Swanston (Bedford, UK) and Han Tiew Siew (Singapore) recorded on 2nd March 2007

Extreme Challenge - 2006

Pesta 2006

1991

BB & GB in 1989

Founder Mr. James Swanston Visit

Founder of 1st Kulai, Mr. James Swanston visited the 1st Kulai BB in 1988

1987

1986

Boys Brigade - 1979/80

The pictures were taken around late 1979 and early 1980.

NCO's and Officers - 1979

The non-commissioned officers and officer Mr. Tee and Captain Mr. Liew in 1979.

Clockwise: Yong Chong, Tiew Siew, Mr. Liew, Mr. Tee, TBI, TBI, Siang San, Yit Kuan, Vincent Wong, Wong Kim Siong

July 1978 - Gunung Tahan

Gunung Tahan Expedition July 1978

Team members:

1. Tan Boon Hong

2. Tu Kwan Yam

3. Yow Tong

4. Soo Boon Kuang

5. See Kuan Sang

Air Panas, Tangkar - 11th Dec 1977

At Random: Tu Kwan Yam, Tan Poh Lim, Chua Kok Wah, Tai Chong Lim, Ng Cheng Soon, Han Tiew Siew, Yow Tong, Soo Boon Kuang, Wong Yong Chong, Cheong Ah Beng, See Kwang Sang, Han Long Choo, Chai Wee Wing, Kong Yea Wah, Kong Woon Wah, Low Kwek Heng, Low Chaw Kin, Anathurai, Cheng Kang, Chey Kaw, Wong Nam Fatt, Chang Seng Look, Hiew Kok Nam, Tan Boon Heng, Hiew Woon Thien

Boys Brigade -1976

This picture was probably taken sometime in 1976. Ho Ha Hin was the staff sergeant that year.Front Row(LtoR)Tbi1, tbi2(Senai), Chua Kok Wah, Tan Poh Lim, Ah Soa, Lee Tet Long, Looi Hai Wah, Narusamy?, Mr. Kam?, Tan Boon Hong, Ho Ha Hin, Ong Tee Chai, tbi3, Tu Kwan Yam, tbi4Standing(LtoR) tbi5, Kenny See, tbi6, Yow Tong, tbi7, ME! Han Tiew Siew(ts), tbi8, tbi9(bicycle shop son), tbi10, Vincent Wong, tbi11, tbi12, Hiew Kok NamNote: tbi(to be identified)

Boys & Girls Brigade - 1976

Group pictures of Boys and Girls Brigade taken in 1976.

Officers: Lee Let Long, Mr. Kam, Mr. Narusamy(?), Mr. Looi, Boon Hong, Miss Tay

Staff Sergeant: Ho Ha Hin

August 31st 1975 - Merdeka Celebration

Merdeka celebration at Bandar Raya Kulai

Clockwise: tbi, See Kwan Ming, Chua Kok Wah, Tan Poh Lim, Ho Ha Hin, Let Let Long, tbi, Han Tiew Siew, Tan Boon Hong, Ong Tee Chai, Tukwan Yam, Mui Fook.

BB - 1975

Taken in 1975

Clockwise: See Kwang Ming, tbi, Chua Kwok Wah, Ong Tee Chai, Han Tiew Siew, Yow Tong, tbi

Kulai Life Boys - 1966

Officers for the Life Boys from the left in white uniform - Lucy Hung, Joo Meng(?), Mano(Rev Muthiah's second son) and Bok Chong(?).Question mark behind the names indicates confirmation needed.BB officers on the left side - Staff Sergeant, Lai Shing, Kok Ngee, Rajan and myself. Ms Richards and Lovell on the right side.

Contributed by Andrew Hiew - 14/03/2007

1st Kulai in 1965 - 66

from Andrew Hiew date Mar 11, 2007 9:49 PMsubject Re: 1 St Kulai BB
That is me, on the right side of Ms Richards. the other two officers next to us were from Singapore(BB office bearers - President?) since I did my Officer Training course in Singapore before my commissioning.Back row from the left, my first Chaplain, the next person(can't recall his name - became a Life Boys officer, my staff Sergeant, Officers Ong Kok Ngee and Kong Lai Shin. Far right - a GB officer. Can't remember her name. My sister - Mrs KC Tay may be able to fill you in.Next to the left post, the youngest of the Chai brothers. Chandran, Rev Muthiah's son on the far right. Tay Soon Mooi's brother Howard(?) leaning on the RH post, the other brother - second left from the post. Williams(parents were Chinese school teachers - standing behind Howard. i believe he is now residing in Sydney. Mr Kam Kok Fong may still be in Subang. Caught up with him in the late 90 on one of my business trips to Malaysia.

Note: Andrew Hiew is the 1st Captain of 1st Kulai BB and currently residing in Australia. You can reach him at andrew.hiew@hotmail.com.

1st Kulai Coy - Founding Years(late 50's & early 60's)

Jimmy Swanston was the founder and 1st Captain of the 1st Kulai BB.
1st Kulai iniitially started as as a Church Youth group prior to the formation of Life Boys(Rev Muthiah) and the BB under Mr. Swanston, I was in the BB with Rajan, Lai Shin, and Kok Ngee who later helped to revive the 1st Kulai as my fellow officers.
He left after completion of his term as Headmaster of the Kulai English School in the early 60s, we had a temporary officer from JB assisting after Jimmy left. His father was a rubber merchant near "Sin Mui Mui" coffee shop.
We had a combined camp at the Welfare Centre near the Lido beach in JB . After this there was no one to take up the leadership and subsequently the Company was disbanded. Not sure of the dates.
Ms Richards approached me to revive the BB back in 1965 while I was teaching temporarily at the school. Certainly it was a big difference after having been in my school army cadet at the time of the "Indonesian Confrontation" to running a BB Coy.
We were camping at Changi area when news of Singapore leaving the Federation of Malaysia came through just as we were about to pack up camp. We did made a quick exit to the Causeway back to Johor.
We had a combined Food fair with the GB for the church back in early 1966 before I left for NZ. Referring to attached photo, from the left Officer Kong Lai Shing not in uniform), Ms Richards, mysel;f and Rajan(Rev. Muthiah's eldest son). Guest of Honour - wife of Johore Tengku. I believe the gentleman beside Ms Richards may had been Kulai D.O. Dr. Abe Rajan may be in KL.
Photo taken on the driveway into the school office next to the old badminton court.I was involved with the NZ's BB in the early 70s for two years while I was stationed in Petone just outside Wellington. That's another story.
Hope this will give you additional background material on the history of 1st Kulai.

Regards,

Andrew 14/03/2007

Classic - 25th July 1959

Classic!!!

According to the back of the photo,

it was taken on 25th July 1959 (Saturday). The boys are yet to be identified?

Anyone who recognize the boys in the picture, please email me the detail.

Bingo!
Update from Andrew Hiew
"I may be able to help regarding your early photos of 1959, I believe that the group members are of the two Chai brothers whose Dad(Church memnber) owned a furniture shop opposite the Bright Cinema. Meng Heng( younger one) is on the extreme left and Meng Huat on the extreme right. The two gentlemen in the middle appear to be my former BB officers ie Ong Kok Ngee and Kam Kok Fong. All these gentlemen were former neighbours. " 11/03/2007

Co-founder Joyce Lovell - 1918 - 1983

IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR THE LIFE OF

JOYCE LOVELL M.B.E., S.C.M.
1918 – 1983 (Peking 1946 - 1951; Kulai 1952 – 1977)

The address given was by Rev Michael Lay M.A.
13th, April 1953


The Address was preceded by a reading from II Corinthians, chapter 4, ending with the words, "Our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen: for what is seen passes away; what is unseen is eternal."

It was on “the unseen and the eternal" that the eyes of Joyce Lovell were ever fixed.

That was apparent even in these last months and years as we have seen the increasing frailty of her mind and body. For again and again we have known that the real Joyce was still there, deep inside, though so much of the time the channels of communication were blocked, we saw her respond, as she listened to recordings of favourite hymns, some of which we are singing today. She would be quiet for prayer, and sometimes would say the Amen. The restlessness of her body was stilled as she listened to familiar Bible passages: and even at the end her eyes would open in interest and concern as she shared a prayer for the continuing work at Kulai.

That has always been of importance to Joyce was still at the centre of her heart and mind, buried deep thought it might have seemed to us.

When men and women are called to the service of the church overseas, we at home customarily commission them. It is something that the church does for them and to them. But that service for Joyce on July 28th 1946 was not called a “Commissioning Service”. It was one of dedication, when before family and friends Joyce Lovell dedicated herself to the service of her Lord. And the church witnessed and shared that act of dedication, as we have done so many times since, as surely we do again today.

For of all the words that might be used to describe the ministry that Joyce has' exercised, not just in China and Malaya, but amongst all of us, the one that sums them all up is the one that Joyce chose to describe what she did in this church thirty-seven years ago.

She had begun to fool the call of God as early as the age of eight, in the Sunday school at the David Thomas Memorial Church at Bristol, which some of us have known so well. But it was confirmed at the age of fifteen, when she was attending the London Missionary Society conference at Swanwick. From that moment, her dedication and her determination were unswerving.

She trained as a nursery nurse with Dr. Barnado's. But she wanted to be an evangelist on the mission field, not a nurse working in a hospital. So she became a midwife, doing her practical training in the East End, at Plaistow. She knew that this profession would give her the opportunity to meet people in their homes, and that there she would be able to take the opportunity to share with them the love of her Lord.

There are few of as in this country who could come near to a full knowledge of all that Joyce achieved in her many years of service, but many of them are here this morning, Ronald Booking has told us of his memories of a stay with Joyce, and there have been recent reports of all that is happening at Kulai, a direct result of the pioneering work done by Joyce and her great friend, Agnes Richards.

I suppose that most of us who didn't have the privilege of seeing her at work have a picture of a rather sky, quiet, unassuming woman: a 'sit-in-the-back-row' sort of person; and it is easy not to recognise her dedication and determination. For Joyce set her sights far beyond the horizons that are the limit of view for most of us ordinary mortals, and it was the unseen and the eternal that drew her on.

Give her an opportunity of serving her Lord, and that quiet woman would take it with both hands. Shy though she was, she would stand in this pulpit and sing a Chinese hymn. And there are many who remember how she addressed a great missionary rally in a crowded Westminster Chapel, and moved them deeply with the story she told; not just tales of babies delivered and mothers' lives saved, but stories of prayer answered and grace experienced and the love of God made known.

We all know that Joyce was honoured by the Queen for her work with the award of the M.B.E. But few knew, because she barely mentioned it, that in 1960 she was awarded the Medal of the Sultan of Johore, and that that presentation was made for bravery, for going out and delivering babies in the Communist-held jungles. I don't suppose that Joyce thought it was brave at all, because she was just so certain that she was doing the Lord's work and there she was safe in his hands.

We look at Joyce and think what a great faith she had. I suspect that she wouldn't have admitted that either. She just knew that she had a great God. She trusted him absolutely, and she proved her trust true again and again.

I wonder whether there'll be many missionaries like her again.
Perhaps they don't fit into the pattern today: the independent woman, the only white woman there for so long, running the maternity home all by herself.

We here in Union Church did what we could to help: we sent gifts, we prayed. There was always a very special place in our hearts for "our missionary",

And then in 1977 she had to come home, and it was clear at once that the deterioration in her was as we had feared. Since then there has been so little we could do, but to support and help as we were able, and continually to uphold Hilary in our prayers.

There have been so many questions to which no easy answers have been found. But again and again as we have watched over her, we have known in Joyce that far-away look that goes beyond the physical distress of mind and body to the love and care of her Lord, and beyond the seen and the temporal to the unseen and the eternal.

If death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight, then Joyce saw beyond.

A lovely thing happened as she died. That last night she was in the care of a Chinese nurse from Malaya.

In the life and death of Joyce Lovell, we have learned more wonderful things about the love and care of God.

Co-Founder Miss Agnes L. Richards - 1907 - 1967

Miss Agnes L. Richards – An Appreciation of Her Life and Service

Agnes Richards was born on April 29th, 1907. Her family was active members of the Presbyterian Church in New Barnet, North London, and with her brothers and sister she grew up in the life of that congregation and the atmosphere of a Christian home. After her secondary education she entered Bedford College, London University where she obtained her B.A. degree. It was about this time she offered for missionary service and having been accepted proceeded to Carey Hall, Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham, to train for overseas work.

In 1932, having completed her training, she was ap­pointed by the Presbyterian Church of England to work in the Swatow area as a missionary under the Lingtung Synod of the Church of Christ in China. On arrival in Swatow she learned the Tiechiu dialect and became a good speaker, reader and writer of Chinese. She worked in Swatow Presbytery alongside her Chinese colleagues and was particularly concerned for Christian education work among the women both in towns and villages. After her first leave she returned to China, now at war with Japan, and gave herself wholeheartedly to old and new forms of work. When the Pacific war broke out she was first interned by the Japanese and then repatriated on an exchange basis in 1942.

During the next few years she had to remain in the U.K. She first studied in Birmingham University where she obtained the Diploma in Theology and then served for some time as tutor in Carey Hall, where she came to know Miss Joyce Lovell, her future colleague in Kulai. After the war she returned to China in 1947 and served in both the Huai Tek Women's School and the Bue-li Theological College at Chao-an from then until 1951. Unable to return to China because of political changes there she was ap­pointed to work in Malaya, where her younger brother, the Rev. R.L. Richards had served as a missionary from 1937 to 1945 (three years of the time as a prisoner in Changi). Her arrival in Kulai was at the height of the Emergency. She settled there with Miss Lovell and shared with their Chinese colleagues, Mr. and Mrs. Lim Kwee Choon in all the work and problems of New Village life. Very soon she saw the educational needs and opportunity
for the Church to serve the community. She first taught Eng­lish in the Chinese School in Senai, and then, in 1953 began the English School, Kulai. The first few years the School was carried on under great difficulties in borrowed premises of the Hainanese Association outside the perimeter fence, but by 1956 the first permanent classrooms had been built on the present site and opened free of debt. From then on the school has progressed steadily and now has over 1,000 pupils. From 1952 until 1967, apart from leave periods in the U.K. or New Zealand, almost all of her time and energies were given to the life and work of the Church in Kulai and Senai. The formation and deve­lopment of the 1st Kulai Companies of the Girls' Brigade and Boys' Brigade, the Youth Fellowships, the English Service and Sunday School, the Kindergarten and Mater­nity Home are the evidence of her work during these fifteen years, and in the national organisation of the Girls' Brigade she also played a large part.

In February, 1967, she went on leave, first to New Zealand and then to attend the Pacific Conference of the Girls' Brigade in Fiji. From there she returned to the U.K. It was only some time later that she learned she was suffering from advanced cancer. Miss Lovell has written elsewhere of how she faced and triumphed over her physical death, and how much she valued the presence and thoughts of so many friends, young and old, East and West. She died peacefully on July 24th.

Throughout her life Agnes remained young in heart. She was happiest in her work among children and young people, and retained much of the indignation as well as the energy and enthusiasm of youth. She could feel and express herself strongly when she thought there was in­justice or obscurantism, and at the same time she showed a very practical sympathy with all in need of any kind. She rejoiced in the lives of the many young people round about her as well as in her numerous nephews and nieces, and their children in turn. Her scattered family meant much to her, and the character of her work and service, especially during the last 15 years gave her the opportunity to build up close relationships with many, young and old, who remember her with affection and thanksgiving.

Agnes' faith was a living and therefore a growing faith. Many streams had flowed into it, from her home, the Christian organisations of her youth, the ministry of the Rev. Dr. H. H. Farmer during her formative years, and then Carey Hall and the varying experiences of her more than thirty years of missionary service. She was truly ecumeni­cal, rejoicing in the fellowship with other denominations found through-the Girls' Brigade and also appreciating the good relationships enjoyed with the Roman Catholic Church in Kulai and their common concern for those in need. Having made her commitment to Christ in her early years she lived it out to the end. In doing so she pointed many to Christ as the source of true life, and received in turn His strength, His joy and His peace.