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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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Ang Siew Hock (Bukit Brown)

October 30, 2024

Block 3 Div C Hill 3

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Seah Wah Ee (Bukit Brown)

October 30, 2024

Block 2 Division B Hill 2

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Koh Beng Hoon (Bukit Brown)

October 29, 2024

Block 3 Div B Hill 3

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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 3315
Hill 1181
Hill 4160
Died Young133
decorative tiles133
Block 3 Div D130
Block 4 Div A111
Hill 297
Block 3 Div B84

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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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2014 92
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2012 78
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2011 44
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2010 29
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2008 2
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2007 10
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2005 45
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2004 6
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Popular Post

Ong Yew Teng (Seh Ong)

Ong Yew Teng (1946 -1966) passed away at the age of 20 in 1966. Etched on his tombstone was a snapshot of a time when Singapore politics was in a state of turmoil and disagreement within the People's Action Party (PAP) lead to the ex-members to form the Barisan Socialis (Socialist Front) on 29 July and Barisan Sosialis was officially registered on 13 August 1961 with Lee Siew Choh as Chairman and Lim Chin Siong as the Secretary-General. Thanks to Raymond Goh , he pointed me to the keywords that revealed some of the tomb secrets. This included the fact that tomb of Ong Yew Teng was erected by the Barisan Socialis had the following information; 祖国优秀儿女- Outstanding Children of the Mother Land 热愛革命战士 - Passionate revolutionary hero Erected by 社会主义阵线 - Barisan Socialis Ong Yew Teng (1946-1966) Ong Yew Teng, Revolutionary hero (Erected by Barisan Socialis) Ang Yik Han provided the insight to Ong Yew Teng by sharing an important article from the Barisan Socialis newsletter which shar

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

The last kampong in Singapore (Buangkok)

The last surviving kampong (village) cluster of houses in Singapore mainland is Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Feburary 14 was my second visit to Buangkok with my friends. The last time i visited this place was in June 2011 and am pretty glad, father time has been gentle with this place for now. Getting there The nearest MRT if you are coming from the South, East or West of Singapore is the Serangoon Station (NE12 / CC13). From Serangoon Interchange, take bus 103 and get down at the bus stop that is in front of the Church of St.Vincent de Paul (bus stop: 67079). The landmark in front of you should be the Shell petrol station. Bus stop and buses that come here Cross Yio Chu Kang road and you should see a bridge that you will need to cross over. The bridge will bring you across the canal to Gerald Drive. After the bridge turn left and follow the road and at the bend of the road, on your right, the first house that you should be seeing is No 8 Lorong Buangkok. Welcome to Kampong Buangk

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

Mrs. Choo Boh nee Lim Khan Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Lim Khan Neo passed away at the age of 87 at her residence, No. 57 Joo Chiat Terrace on 9 April 1925. She leaves behind a son, Mr. Choo Chin Hin alias Chin Bee, 2 daughters-in-law, 22 grandchildren (including Choo Hong Bock, Choo Lye Yew, Choo Buan Hai, Choo Hong Thiam, Dr. Choo Teck Guan, Choo Teck Hong, Choo Teck Poh, Choo Teck Soon and Choo Teck Boon) and 25 great grandchildren. (gathered from the obituary notice) From her tomb, Madam Lim Khan Neo nee Mrs. Choo Boh (朱茂) is the mother of Mr. Choo Chin Hin and Mrs. Choo Chwee Hock and Madam Choo Gwek Neo. (Her son, Choo Chwee Hock predeceased her mother) Mrs. Choo Boh nee Madam Lim Khan Neo From her tomb, the names listed are as follows: Children: Mr. and Mrs. Choo Chin Hin, Mrs. Choo Chwee Hock, Madam Choo Gwek Neo Grandchildren: Mr. and Mrs. Choo Hong Bock Mr. and Mrs. Choo Lye Yew Mr. & Mrs. Choo Buan Hai Dr. & Mrs. Choo Teck Guan Choo Hong Thiam, Choo Teck Hong Choo Teck Poh, Choo Teck Soon, Choo Teck Boon, Mr &

Qing Ming - Five-colored paper

During Qing Ming, even if you are passive observer, you will noticed visited tombs with colored papers placed on tomb mount an/ or the headstone. Some are just strewn randomly behind while others follow a pattern of 5 color papers being grouped together. Whatever the individual descendant family practice, from what i read from online sources and asked through oral accounts from descendants is the act of placing the colored papers (called ya zhi (压纸) ) on top of the headstone is symbolic of the fact that this tomb is well taken care of by the filial descendants. The paper typically have 5 colors, representing the 5 elements (Fire, Earth, Gold, Wood and Water) and / or the 5 cardinal directions (North, South, East. West and Centre). 5 colored paper with stones to hold them down Five colored paper on the grave as well on top of the headstone 5 colored paper on headstone Note: None of the perspectives expressed here represent singular truths given the syncretic nature of Chinese religion

Fong Siew Nam (Bukit Brown)

Fong Siew Nam passed away at the age of 68 on 10th July 1933. From his tomb, i can make out the name of one son, Fong Peck Yew. After the funeral of Mr. Fong Siew Nam, Mr. Fong Peck Yew and family thanked the staff of the Dept. of Statistics, staff of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, members of the Blue Star Minstrels. Son: Fong Peck Yew The marriage took place at No 101 Everitt Road on 2 November 1935 between Mr. Fong Peck Yew (only son of Mrs. Fong Siew Nam and the late Mr. Fong Siew Nam) and Miss Chiang Kim Neo (second daughter of Mr. Chiang Thiam Seng and the late Mrs. Chiang Thiam Seng). Fong Peck Yew was a Clerk Special Class, General Clerical Service to act as Assistant Registrar of Imports and Exports and Chief Clerk Imports and Exports. Mr. Fong Peck Yew passed away at the age of 97 on 24th March 1994. Madam Chiang Kim Neo passed away at the age of 87 on 18th January 1997 In their obituary notice: Son: Fong Ngan Loi (deceased) Daughters: Fong Seng Neo, Vivien ; Fong Hup N

Joseph William Cashin and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Joseph William Cashin / J.W. Cashin (1842-1907) was born in Singapore and is the second son of the late Mr. Cashin, a Maltese Inspector of Police. The Cashin family originally from Ireland, came down to Singapore many years ago. Joseph William Cashin was educated at the Christian Brother's Schoo and became a lawyer's clerk after going into work at the legal firm of Mr. F.E. Pereira, followed by Mr. Edwin Koek and finally Mr. J.P. Joaquim. Joseph William Cashin also joined the Opium and Liquor Farms of Singapore, rising the ranks to Managing Director before passing away. With the money, he invested and also made a fortune in land speculation and at one time own many properties, including about 400 shophouses. Joseph William Cashin passed away on 7th August 1907 at his country house at Pongol (Punggol) and the body was brought to his town residence at No 3 Gaylang (Geylang) at the end of the tramway terminus. He is survived by his widow, 3 daughters and an only son. Probate of h

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

Chia Hood Theam and family (Bukit Brown)

Chia Hood Theam was a Straits-born Chinese and was the son of Chia Leong Chuan. He studied in Raffles Institution and followed in his father's footsteps and went on to serve in the Merchantile Bank for 57 years and became the head shroff since 1889 (shroff is a hindi word that describes a banker in the Far East). His father, Chia Leong Chuan served for 34 years, from 1856. The Merchantile Bank itself was formed in 1855. Chia Hood Theam's sons also served in the Merchantile Bank. Chia Keng Tye served for 34 years from 1907 and finally Chia Keng Chin served for 45 years from 1906. Chia Hood Theam Social Education Reformist Chia Hood Theam was a forward looking man, actively supporting the education of Chinese woman in Singapore by being one of the pioneers in the formation of the Singapore Chinese Girl School. He was the Honory Treasurer for the Chinese Girls School until a time where work commitments overwhelmed him. He resigned and Mr. Ong Soo Tee gallantly took the d

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