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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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Miss Tan Kim Lian (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div A Died Young

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Tan Bah Chee (Bukit Brown)

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Tan Chin Wah and Chan Phong Neo (Bukit Brown)

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Madam Wee Cheet (Bukit Brown)

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Phua Oen Wee and Tan Guak Sim (Bukit Brown)

benches Block 3 Div D sikh guard

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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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Labels

Bukit Brown910
Hill 3331
Hill 1187
Died Young179
decorative tiles164
Hill 4163
Block 3 Div D151
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)

Archive

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2005 45
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Popular Post

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...

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 )

Miss Tan Kim Lian (Bukit Brown)

Miss Tan Kim Lian was born on 27 July 1938 and passed away on 28 June 1940. On the burial registrar she is listed as 2 years when she passed away. Her tomb is located close to the road and because of this her tomb is relatively well maintained. As i was passing by i place a Sphagneticola trilobata (Singapore Daisy) on her headstone to remind her that she is not forgotten despite the fact it is Qing Ming now. Baby Tan Kim Lian Location of tomb Block 3 Section A, plot 636.

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...

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...

Lim Keng Seng (Bukit Brown)

Lim Keng Seng passed away at the age of 57 at No. 7 Lorong 19, Geylang Singapore on 24 September 1924. He leaves behind; 2 sons; Messers Lim Swee Choe, Lim Swee Hong alias Oon E. Seah 3 daughters 2 sons-in-law; Messrs. Seet Teng Leong and Koh Tiong Whye and 15 grandchildren. Penang and F.M.S papers please copy. From the tomb of Lim Keng Seng, i can make out the following; Born: 8 May 1868 Died: 24 September 1924 Sons: Lim Swee Choe, Lim Swee Hong Daughters; Lim Chwee Neo, Lim Oon Neo, Lim Boo Lat, Lim Marie Grandsons: Lim Mong Tak, Lim Bock Yean Lim Keng Seng Lim Keng Seng tomb in Bukit Brown Location of tomb Block 1 Division E, plot 88

Lim Nee Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Lim Nee Soon's wife (Wee Pek Hay) and two of his son's ( Lim Chong Kuo and Lim Chong Pang ) tomb can be found in Bukit Brown, Block 4 Division A. Mr. Lim Nee Soon is not buried there but in Nanking, China. It is however difficult to write a story about Lim Nee Soon family members tomb cluster in Bukit Brown, without first introducing Mr. Lim Nee Soon first. Pineapple King and Patriot Mr. Lim Nee Soon (1879-1936) is the son of Mr Lim Peng Guan and was born in Kampong Glam, Beach Road in 1879. His father died when Lim Nee Soon was only 8 years old and was left in the care of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Teo Lee (Mr Teo Eng Hock's father). Lim Nee Soon received his early education in both St. Joseph Institution and Anglo-Chinese School and therefore proficient in both English and Chinese languages. A Teochew, he started from scratch, working as a shopkeeper assistant at the age of 18 and from there he climbed the rungs by next working for timber merchant Tan Tye a...

Tan Chin Wah and Chan Phong Neo (Bukit Brown)

Tan Chin Wah passed away away at the age of 58 on 14 May 1935. Madam Chan Phong Neo passed away at the age on 34 on January 1924. The tomb is partially blocked by a huge fallen tree across it years ago but fortunately i can still make out enough. The names of their children; Sons: Tan Hin Pung, Tan Hin Choon, Tan Hin Yam, Tan Hin Seng, Tan Hin Whatt, Tan Hin Kheng, Tan Hin Siong Daughters: Tan Swee Kee, Tan Swee Min, Tan Swee Neo Grandsons: Tan Chian Eng, Tan Chian Joo Granddaughters: Tan Quee Hong, Tan Quee Siew Tan Chin Wah and Chan Phong Neo Million dollar appeal over family property rejected In a newspaper article dated 27 May 1969, three brother - Tan Hin Choon, Tan Him Yam and Tan Hin Pung (owners by equal shares in 1953 of a land the size of 85,323 square feet in Pasir Panjang) brought to court a civil suit against the Ban Hin Lee Bank Ltd of Singapore for that said land currently by the bank after it was mortgaged on 23 December 1953. I learned fro...

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

Tan Kim Teat passed away in 1942 leaving behind his children; Sons: Tan Kay Hoe, Tan Tommy Daughters: Tan Boo Yoke, Tan Bong Soo. What is interesting about his tomb located in Hill 1 ( not able to find his plot number) is the spelling mistakes etched on the marble. "Deerly Regrettld by his" In loving Memory of Tan Kim Teat Deerly Regrettld by his Sons Tan Kay Hoe Tan Tommy Daughters Tan Boo Yoke Tang Bong Soo Tan Kim Teat What is equally interesting is that within 2 weeks, we found the tomb of his wife while exploring another area in Bukit Brown (namely Hill 3 Section A). Her marble slab below the altar table like many others was broken and upon cleaning, was able to make out the following: In loving Memory of Yong Chiang Neo Husband - Tan Kim Teat Sons: Tan Kay Hoe & Tan Tommy Daughters: Tan Boo Yoke, Tan Bong Soo 19th January 1930 Yong Chiang Neo Location of tomb I am not able to find the plot number for Mr. Tan Kim Teat who is buried in Hill 1 Division E ...

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