Ng Whoey (Lao Sua)

It started with a post on facebook of a black and white postcard of a tomb with the words "Chinese Cemetery that was put on sale on ebay (it was sold eventually on August 13, 2017). From the picture, we can clearly make out the occupant of the tomb based on the text of the tomb shoulders; "In Loving Memory of Ng Whoey, born 1858 died 1918 Age 61"  and "The Beloved Father of Ng Kah Ghee and Ng Swee Chee, Built 1920).

Postcard with caption Chinese Cemetery, Singapore  (from ebay)

Tomb of Ng Whoey (closeup)

Within a week, the ever resourceful Raymond Goh together with local area expert knowledge from Soh Ah Beng (a tombkeeper familiar with the Loa Sua), they found the actual tomb and its location is at Greater Bukit Brown or what we term as Lao Sua. The tomb that was built in 1920, 2 years after the death of Ng Whoey is now rediscovered again.

The tomb of Ng Whoey uncovered (photo courtesy of Raymond Goh)

I don't have any information on Ng Whoey, but one of the son who erected the tomb in 1920, Ng Kah Ghee was a well known business man whom was once buried in Bukit Brown.

Son: Ng Kah Ghee 黄佳宜 (1885-1941)
Ng Kah Ghee was the managing director of chop Bee Huat or Bee Huat & Co, a company that supplies motor oil for a booming transportation industry. He was also the Vice President of the Socony Athletic Club for a number of years after it was formalised around 1929 (Socony is short form for Standard Oil Company New York). He also held position in a company called Standard-Vaccum Oil Co which is a close business partner or supplier of Bee Huat Company's petrol stations.

Ng Kah Ghee (黄佳宜) and Ang Ah Pee (汪亞扁)

Mr Ng Kah Ghee pased away on May 26, 1941 at his residence at No 23, Lorong 27-A Geylang at the age of 56 while Mrs Ng Kah Ghee passed away on Aug 11, 1955. They were buried in Block 5 Division B and have since was exhumed since they were affected by the highway.  He left behind 5 sons ( Ng Cheng Hoe, Ng Cheng Ann, Ng Cheng Kiat, Ng Cheng Chwee and Ng Cheng Bok ) and 5 daughters. He was also survived by a brother and 2 sisters.

In a subsequent visit, we found also Ng Whoey's mother and wife.

Ng Whoey's mother (located close by to Ng Whoey's tomb)

Ng Whoey's wife tomb in Loa Sua 


Location of tomb

8RJF+4M7 Singapore


Ng Whoey (2024)



References

Ng Kah Ghee. (Rojak Librarian). posted on May 16,2012
Grave Number 1192. Ng Kah Ghee Ang Ah Pee. (Bukit Brown Documentation Project)
Death of Mr. Ng Kah Ghee. (1941, May 27). The Malayan Tribune, page 12

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