The Association was formed in 1960 by the amalgamation of the existing Colonial Service Pensioners' Association of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), East and Central Africa, Malaya (Malaysia), and West Africa. The object was 'to represent and safeguard their common interests more effectively' (MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 398/4, folder 6). There were then over 4,000 members, all pensioners who had been recruited into the Colonial Service or into a similar service on like terms, or who were widows of such pensioners and in receipt of a widow's pension. Membership was open to pensioners from all colonial territories and from territories that had reached independence. A full-time Secretary was appointed, Mr S.A. Walden, through whom the papers were deposited with the Oxford University Colonial Records Project in 1969.