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Rojak Librarian

The Rojak Librarian is a blog that covers a range of topics related to Singapore's history, culture, and heritage. I wrote many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the early pioneers buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and birdwatching.

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Tan Teck Bee and Madam Chua Eng Neo (Bukit Brown)

October 28, 2024

Block 3 Div C Hill 3

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Detective Tan Kee Chuan (Bukit Brown)

October 27, 2024

Block 3 Div C Hill 3 Murder Plus Codes Police

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Mrs. Goh Sam Sye nee Madam Wee Cheng Neo (Bukit Brown)

October 26, 2024

Block 3 Div B Hill 3

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Mrs. Lim Whye Pin nee Madam Wee Nyonyah (Bukit Brown)

October 26, 2024

Block 3 Div B Hill 3 Plus Codes

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Miss Lily Woon Fong Yuen (Bukit Brown)

October 26, 2024

Block 3 Div B Died Young Hill 3

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Goh Kang Whye (Bukit Brown)

October 26, 2024

Block 3 Div B Died Young Hill 3 Plus Codes

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Bukit Brown Sheds and Superintendent House

October 23, 2024

Bukit Brown Images from the Past old photo

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Lee Teck Puay (Bukit Brown)

October 20, 2024

Block 4 Div A Hill 4

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Ong Wah Ting (Bukit Brown)

October 20, 2024

Block 4 Div A Hill 4

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Goh Wong Chun (Bukit Brown)

October 20, 2024

Block 4 Div C Hill 4

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Kheam Hock Road Temple (Images from the Past)

October 16, 2024

Elliot Collection Images from the Past kheam hock road village temple

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Labels

Bukit Brown958
Hill 3313
Hill 1181
Hill 4160
Died Young133
decorative tiles133
Block 3 Div D130
Block 4 Div A111
Hill 296
Block 3 Div B83

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Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

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Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

Archive

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Popular Post

Detective Tan Kee Chuan (Bukit Brown)

It started with Raymond Goh sharing a newspaper article about a police officer's funeral at Bukit Brown and the circumstances of his death while on active duty. Armed with the burial location, we eventually found the tomb and it was a very simple one unlike the other well-known policeman buried in Bukit Brown, Inspector Wong Chin Yoke . Soil movement has cause the headstone to dislodge from the tomb shoulder and the headstone has tilted slight with the engravings partially covered by soil. But finally at least we can now remember Detective Tan Kee Chuan (D.P.C. 748) who was killed on active duty on 30 July 1932. He was 24 years old when he died. Detective Tan Kee Chuan, (D.P.C. 748) Full Honours Accorded At Funeral The article describes the funeral service of Chinese policeman, Tan Kee Chuan (D.P.C. 748), who was murdered while on duty. The funeral was held at Bukit Brown cemetery on Monday morning with full service honors. All members of D division, along with N.C.O.'s repre

Bukit Brown Sheds and Superintendent House

I came across the post by Raymond Goh ( dated 20 October 2024 on the tomb of Mr. Yeo Seok Hwa who passed away on 11 August 1941 at Block 5 Division B, plot 95 and the fact that the tomb no longer exist as it was affected by the highway). What was equally important was the background of the rare picture. In the first picture it shows two sheds (or rest houses) in Bukit Brown. The second picture is the Coolie Quarters (not to be confused with the coolie lines ) or also known as the Superintendent House or Office. Although it is only a partial picture, i was very happy to get a glimpse of it as we know of its existence from the old maps and aerial photograph of Bukit Brown but was not fortunate enough to see it up close. If any of you have pictures of the Coolie Quarters / Superintendent House, do share with me. Two sheds in the background (photo courtesy of Keng Leck) Tomb of Yeo Seok Hwa (in background is the Superintendent Quarters) (photo courtesy of Keng Leck) Bukit Brown Sheds /

Kamala Circus - The Great Indian Circus visits Singapore

I heard about the Tai Thean Kew circus from my involvement with Bukit Brown and during one my tours on the Queenstown Heritage Trail , i was told of another Indian circus troupe that existed in the late 1950's and 1960's. Recently, while curating ideas for a Bukit Brown tour on Pioneers of Early Entertainment, i came across a travelling circus troupe by the name of Kamala Circus. Kamala Circus (source: NewspaperSG) Kamala Circus was reputed to be the largest travelling show in the Far East. It boasted over 100 Indian artist and featured acts such as the flying trapeze act, the "Globe of Death" motor cycle act by two young girls, a 30 foot leap by a motorcyclist and the "cat" act. It claims over 300 tons of equipment and animals which include 16 horses, 8 Ceylon baby elephants, an African lion and 2 lionesses, 2 tiger cubs and 3 Indian mountain goats. It came to Singapore in 1947 from India via Ceylon and performed for a month before touring around th

Kwek Soon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Kwek Soon Neo was the 16 year old daughter of Kwek Mui Seng, proprietor of Chop Aik Leong, 38 Phillip Street . On the morning of 28 October 1932, she was found to be suffering from caustic soda poisoning and taken to General Hospital but died on the same day. Kwek Soon Neo committed suicide and her reason for doing so was indeed tragic. She was said to have sustained prolonged periods of physical abuse from her step-mother who used to beat her (and two of her brothers) with the rattan, broomstick and shovel handle. The step-mother was witness to have also grabbed Kwek Soon Neo by her hair and beat her with her fist. Kwek Soon Neo's biological father knew of this but did not interfere because he was too afraid despite complains by his children. Neighbors stated that they heard the agonised cries of the Kwek Soon Neo on several occasions, but also did nothing. Kwek Soon Neo Other than revealing the tragic story behind Kwee Soon Neo's tomb, the tomb also contains two very intere

Kheam Hock Road Temple (Images from the Past)

The description of the photo reads - Chinese temple in Kheam Hock Road, Singapor e. This is from the Elliot Collection which is accessible online from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology website . To me this is fascinating. I have seen and identified photos of the Bukit Brown Cemetery Temple but this is my first time seeing this temple photo that was described to be on Kheam Hock Road itself (assuming the description of the photo is correct). The photo was taken in 1950 -1951 and what i can see is that the roof is still a thatched roof one, with the temple built on wood and on slightly elevated ground. Behind the temple is another larger structure - a building built with concrete or bricks and is double story. From the typography of the pictures when combined together, it is unlikely to be the Seh Ong Temple / Ong Clan Temple in the main central area of Kheam Hock Road and Jalan Berahi (although the photos i have of the area around Kheam Hock Road is from the early 1992) and

Tan Swee Hoe and family (Batu Pahat)

Sometime back in August 2012, i wrote an article about Tan Swee Hoe who is buried in Bukit Brown. Tan Swee Hoe came to Singapore as a young boy and worked his way up, eventually becoming one of founders of Ho Hong Bank, and later a director of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) after it merged with it. He was also for two terms, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Batu Pahat, shareholder of Ho Aik Steamships. Tan Swee Hoe was a member of the Council of State, Johore and received a title S.M.J (Setia Mahkota Johore) from the government of Johore in 1929 for his contributions. He owned several property in Singapore and Batu Pahat. Tan Swee Hoe In January 2014, i was fortunate to make a trip with like minded friends to Batu Pahat to visit one of the properties he owned as well as a temple he contributed too and finally the grave of his son. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion First on my wishlist was Tan Swee Hoe's mansion on 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Pah

Quah Kim Sian and family (Bukit Brown)

Quah Kim Sian passed away on 27th June 1929 at the age of 53. Listed at his tomb are the names of his son; Quah Eng Koon, daughters; Quah Im Neo, Quah Lin Neo, Quah Chiew Neo, Grandson; Wee Poh Seng and grand-daughter; Wee Chwee Neo. Mrs. Quah Kim Sian nee Madam Wee Geok Neo passed away at the age of 82 on 11th May 1959 at 8 Lorong 36, Geylang leaving behind only son, Quah Eng Koon, 2 daughters, Mrs. Wee Kim Seah, Mrs. Chan Siew Hock, a daughter-in-law, 2 son-in-law, 6 grandchildren, 1 granddaughter-in-law, 2 great grandchildren. She is buried in Bukit Brown (but i can't find the plot number in the burial registrar). (Postnote 13 June 2021: her tomb was found at Toa Payoh Cemetery). Family Son: Quah Eng Koon Quah Eng Koon (only son of the late Mr. Quah Kim Sian and Mrs. Quah Kim Sian) got engaged to Miss Tan Chwee Neo (eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tan Hock Leong). Mr. Quah Eng Koon passed away at the age of 92 on 4 July 2003. He is survived by his wife, Tan Chwee Neo

Kwa Siew Tee and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Kwa Siew Tee, a Semarang born Chinese was a Municipal Commissioner (an appointment he held till 1949). He was also the General Manager of Overseas Chinese Bank Corporation Limited, Assistant General Manager of The Eastern United Assurance Corporation, Limited and a Member of the Hospital Board. He received a Certificate of Honour in 1951. Kwa Siew Tee passed away at the age of 89 on 20 March 1977. Group photo of the founding of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation in 1932 Kwa Siew Tee is standing behind. (source: National Archives of Singapore) Family Kwa Siew Tee and family (source: National Archives of Singapore) Wife: Madam Wee Yew Neo Madam Wee Yew Neo is the daughter of Wee Theam Seng . She passed away on 14 May1980. She is survived by; 3 sons: Kwa Soon Siew, Kwa Soon Chuan, Kwa Soon Bee 4 daughters: Kwa Geok Neo, Kwa Geok Lan, Kwa Geok Choo, Kwa Geok Eng. Son: Kwa Soon Hock Kwa Soon Hock is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Kwa Siew Tee. He was a staff of the Overseas Chinese Ba

Goh Kang Whye (Bukit Brown)

Goh Kang Whye was born on 10 April 1924 and passed away on 29 January 1932. He was 8 years old when he passed away. Unfortunately his marble headstone is badly damage and no longer in one piece. Goh Kang Whye Location of tomb Block 3 Division B, plot 315 8RQG+4HG Singapore

Mrs. Goh Sam Sye nee Madam Wee Cheng Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Goh Sam Sye nee Madam Wee Cheng Neo passed away on 15 April 1932. In the burial registrar, she was listed as 50 years when she passed away. Son: Goh Geok Tong, Goh Geok Leong Grandson: Goh Teck Chuan, Goh Teck Koon, Goh Teck Seng Granddaughter: Goh Siew Hong Grandchildren of Mrs. Goh Contractor Goh Sam Sye was successful in the tender of providing limewhiting, external paintings and repairs to slate roof and ceilings of the police courts valued at $1,219 (reported in the Straits Times on 8 May 1909) and erection of three quarters for Government officers on Nassim Hill valued at $23,000 (reported on the Straits Times, 4 July 1914). Family Son: Goh Geok Tong alias Goh Lu Tong. Goh Lu Tong (eldest son of Mrs. Goh Sam Sye) married Miss Lau Ut Ngoh on 26 December 1922 at No. 19 Duxton Hill, Singapore. Mrs. Goh Lu Tong nee Madam Lau Ut Ngoh passed away at the age of 83 on 7 February 1985 and in her obituary notice is survived by; Sons: Goh Teck Chuan, Goh Teck Koon, James and G

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