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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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Mr. and Mrs. Tan Kim Teat (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division E Block 3 Div A

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Lim Keng Seng (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division E decorative tiles

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Qing Ming 2026 - with the descendants of Madam Tan Gim Neo

Block 1 Division E qingming video

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Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik (former Bidadari Christian Cemetery)

Died Young former bidadari cemetery

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Archibald Maclean (former Bidadari Cemetery)

elephant former bidadari cemetery marble

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Madam Yeo Hian Neo (Bukit Brown)

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Chan Pek Eng alias Yew Hai (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div C marble

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Chan Cheng Kiat (Bukit Brown)

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Jalan Besar Stadium (Images from the Past)

Aerial view Images from the Past

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Mr. and Mrs. Wee Teong Chai (Bukit Brown)

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Paya Lebar Airport and Airport Road (Images from the Past)

February 28, 2026

Aerial view Images from the Past

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Dream Clue to 11 Year Mystery - Finding Boey Kai Hong

February 25, 2026

war

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Mosquito Bus with Tanjong Pagar route sign (Images from the Past)

February 22, 2026

Images from the Past North Bridge Road old photo

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Madam Lim Seng Neo (Lao Sua)

February 22, 2026

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Labels

Bukit Brown910
Hill 3332
Hill 1187
Died Young179
decorative tiles164
Hill 4163
Block 3 Div D149
Block 4 Div A121
Block 3 Div C109
Block 4 Div C106

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

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

Newspaper mentions(2025)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2022)

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

Newspaper mentions (2017)

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Popular Post

Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik (former Bidadari Christian Cemetery)

A Qantas plane brought home on 31 August 1962 the embalmed body of Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik, a 8 year old Singapore schoolgirl who died in St. Vincent Private Hospital, Sydney on Monday 27 August 1962 with her favourite teddy bear beside her while waiting for a brain operation after being diagnose with brain tumor. Elaine was a student of the Methodist Girls' School, Paya Lebar. At Paya Lebar airport to receive the casket were Elaine's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ng Keam Tet who had flown to Australia with her the previous week. The body was taken to their home at Blandford Drive, Serangoon Garden Estate. The funeral took place at Bidadari after a church service at St. Peter's Church at Tavistock Avenue. Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik headstone at Bidadari (source: NLB )

Archibald Maclean (former Bidadari Cemetery)

Archibald Maclean passed away on 10 January 1919. His wife, Talap Maclean passed away on 23 August 1957 at the age of 89. Both were said to be born in Bangkok. Bankrupt in 2 countries In the court of foreign causes at Bangkok on 10 June 1909, the application for Mr. Archibald Macleau to be declared bankrupt in Thailand. The article went on to mention that he was in the business of import and general business in Singapore and was recently declared a bankrupt in the Straits Settlement. Archibald Macleau is said to owe the Hongkong Bank (50,000 tes), Siam Commercial Bank and other creditors (200,000 tes). Before leaving Bangkok, he met his creditors but nothing came out that. His remaining mortgaged property in Thailand was sold by the Siam Commercial Bank whom he owed 230,000 tes. Even after the sale, bank debts still amounted to 150,000 tes. In March 1911, Archibald Maclean applied for his discharged (The court has taken note that he continued to trade after even knowing he w...

Qing Ming 2026 - with the descendants of Madam Tan Gim Neo

Madam Tan Gim Neo passed away at the age of 65 on 23 September 1924. From the newspaper archives, Madam Tan Gim Neo passed away at 66-3 Race Course Road. She is the mother of Messrs. Lee Guan Chim, Lee Siang Lim, Lee Soon Kim, Lee Tang Seck, Lee Cheng Swee and Lee Ah Kow. She leaves also 3 daughters, 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Name of her children listed on her tomb; 6 sons and 3 daughters and 5 grandson Sons; Lee Guan Chim, Lee Siang Lim, Lee Soon Kim, Lee Tang Seck, Lee Cheng Swee, Lee Ah Kow Daughters; Lee Kwee Neo, Lee Badong, Lee Guat Neo Grandsons; Ba Besar, Ba Tengah, Willie, Tay Sanh The unique names etched on the tomb such as Lee Badong, Ba Besar and Ba Tengah reminded me of the uniquely Baba and Nyonya names. You can see also some war damage on the tomb shoulder reminding us that Bukit Brown was a battlefield before the fall of Singapore. Another important thing i learn from the tomb is that, the husband and children of Madam Tan Gim Neo are ensure which pr...

Madam Yeo Hian Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Yeo Hian Neo passed away at the age of 54 on 22 January 1938. Son: Tan Hock Liat Daughter: Tan Whay Poh Grandson: Tan Kim Cheng Granddaughter: Tan Khim Neo, Tan Geok Neo Mrs. Tan Tiang Ann nee Yeo Hean Neo passed away at her residence, No. 98, Lorong L. Teluk Kurau at the age of 55. She left behind her one son, Tan Hock Liat, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law, Yeo Tian Seng, 1 daughter-in-law and 7 grandchildren Mrs. Tan Tiang Ann nee Yeo Hean Neo Son: Tan Hock Liat / Tan Hock Liat, Simon / Simon Tan Hock Liat Tan Hock Liat, Simon passed away at the age of 68 on 7 March 1972. He leaves behind his wife, Loh Siew Kim, 2 sons, 3 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law and 4 grandchildren. The cortege left from 9 Lorong N, Teluk Kurau for Holy Family Church and later Chua Chu Kang Catholic Cemetery. Mary Christine Loh Siew Kim passed away at the age of 78 on 13 December 1984 Sons: Tan Kim Cheng, Tan Kim Chwee, Lawrence Daughters-in-law: Geok Imm, Sor Poh, Molly Dau...

Chan Pek Eng alias Yew Hai (Bukit Brown)

The broken marble stone reads in loving memory of Chan Pek Eng (Yew Hai). To me that is already interesting the fact that her alias is etched out clearly. This is similar to the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam , where on the tomb of Mrs. Chia Hood Theam nee Madam Yeo Lan Neo, her alias Nyonya Tawee was also clearly etched. A tree probably did great damage to the tomb of Madam Chan Pek Eng but after piecing the marble pieces together, i am able to find out that she died on 21 June 1934. She was born on 3 December 1873. Her age was listed as 61. Location of tomb Block 3 Section C, plot 42

Jalan Besar Stadium (Images from the Past)

From the aerial photograph with only generic metadata from Royal Air Force below, i manage to identify Jalan Besar Stadium from its 4 tower flood lights. Comparing with maps of the past and today, i tried to identify the road names as well. Jalan Besar Stadium and its surrounding roads (source: NAS ) Youth Festival (1961) at Jalan Besar Stadium (source: NAS) President Yusuf Ishak opening the Youth Festival at Jalan Besar Stadium (source: NAS) Some snippet about the site: Jalan Besar Stadium, officially opened on 26 December 1929, quickly became the heart of Singapore’s sporting scene. Built as a municipal sports ground, it was home to football matches, athletics, and community events, drawing crowds that often exceeded its capacity—most famously in 1951, when 16,000 fans packed in for a Singapore FA clash with South China AA. From the 1930s onward, it served as the national football team’s home ground, earning its reputation as the “cradle of Singapore football.” Over...

Dream Clue to 11 Year Mystery - Finding Boey Kai Hong

For 11 year, the relatives of Mr. Boey Kai Hong (a well known Cantonese merchant and son of pawnshop millionaire in Singapore, Mr. Boey Pak Fook) disappeared during the Japanese occupation in March 1942, have been wondering what happened to him. Boey Kai Hong, who was 42 years was taken away by the Japanese from his office at Kwong Wai Siew Hospital on 6 March 1942 when the Japanese military police arrived at 4:30 pm with the intention of taking him for his role of leading the anti-Japanese resistance and supporting the China Relief Fund. He never returned. Dream Clue It was reported in the same article dated 22 December 1953, that a relative had been dreaming for days that he saw Mr. Boey Kai Hong's "spirit" hovering over an embankment outside Outram Road School, Singapore. The school was believed to be a Kempeitai depot during the occupation and they believe he was killed by the Japanese there. Diggers unearthed a few bones and a piece of blood-stained canvas after Bo...

Mr. and Mrs. Wee Teong Chai (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Wee Teong Chai passed away at the age of 63 at his residence No. 117, Lorong 25, Geylang at 7:15pm on 6 September 1934. He leaves behind; 1 daughter: Miss Wee Geok Kim Nephew: Wee Chim Kay Adopted Daughter: Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow, Niece: Tan Teck Neo Granddaughter: Amy Gan Grand nephew: Tan Kiat Kwee Mrs. Wee Teong Chai nee Cheng Hong Neo passed away at her residence, No. 117 Lorong 25 Geylang at 5:15 am on 4 October 1933. (In the burial registrar her age was listed as 54). She leaves behind, her husband, Daughter: Wee Geok Kim Nephew: Wee Chim Kay Adopted Daughter: Tan Kim Choo Niece: Tan Teck Neo Grand Nephew: Tan Kiat Kwee Granddaughter: Amy Gan Wee Teong Chai Family Adopted Daughter: Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow nee Tan Kim Choo Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow passed away at the age of 70 at her residence, 27 Lorong K off Still Road on 27 January 1959. She leaves behind 3 daughters: Mrs. Tan Kiat Kwee, Mrs. Beck Teck Bock, Mrs. Lim Kim Teck and 3 sons-in-law. She is ...

Mosquito Bus with Tanjong Pagar route sign (Images from the Past)

Found this interesting picture dated 1929 and it shows a close-up of an early local transportation that was popular during that time period - a Mosquito bus. The photo was originally in black and white and faded. I used Gemini and prompted it to sharpen the picture and colorise it without changing anything else. Without commenting on the color of the mosquito bus itself (which could be wrong), there are still other layers of potential information from the photo with the most obvious one- Tanjong Pagar and the license plate of the vehicle (S4267) and the owner ? (H.W. Teck). In the background is another smaller vehicle and in the background is a church steeple - possibly Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (today CHJIMES). Tanjong Pagar denotes the route of this bus service - Tanjong Pagar - Geylang. Just behind the Mosquito bus (which is fully laden with passengers), i can make out a Dispensary but not its name. From old maps, i will make an educated guess that the road t...

Funeral expense of Madam Goh Kim Neo (Bukit Brown)

I do get questions on how much it would have cost for a funeral in Bukit Brown. There are some examples of estimate cost, but today i found a detail example of this for the funeral of Mrs. Lim Chia Teck nee Madam Goh Kim Neo who passed away at the age of 70 on 20 July 1939. The below is a close-up of an entry from the notebook of Mr. Chia Keng Tye (son-in-law of Madam Goh Kim Neo and son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam ) dated 20 July 1939. Breakdown of cost for the funeral expense of the late Madam Goh Kim Neo Chia Keng Tye's handwriting was very clear and gave a detail breakdown of the funeral expense of Madam Goh Kim Neo who passed at the age of 70 on 20 July 1939. The cost came down to $1436. The breakdown includes Grave Plot $60 Burial Fee $15 Malacca Coffin $180 Ang Chin Huat $500 Various Other expenses $301 Making Kubor $380 There is so many interesting nuggets from this breakdown including the cost of the coffin ($180) and how they used the service of Ang Chin Huat...

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