Skip to main content

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.

Search This Blog

Home
Bukit Brown
Bidadari Christian Cemetery
Rojak Librarian+
Sitemap

Posts

Goh Eng Kian (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div B Died Young Plus Codes

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chia Ek Kee (Bukit Brown)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Unnamed boy of Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Division 3 Died Young

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Tan Keng Pin (Greater Bukit Brown)

Died Young Gelong Pah Greater Bukit Brown Plus Codes

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Lee Poon Lip (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Division 4 Died Young marble

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Aw Seng Geok (Bukit Brown)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Phuah Chong Wah (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles marble Youtube Shorts

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Lim Huat Neo (Bukit Brown)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Lim Yew Neo (Bukit Brown)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chan Lian Cheng (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

Art Nouveau decorative tiles

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chee Wan Lee Neo (Lao Sua)

Lao Sua Plus Codes

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chia Poh Siang (Lao Sua)

Lao Sua Plus Codes

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Mrs. Teo Boon Gan nee Madam Goh Choon Neo (Lao Sua)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Qing Ming with the descendants of Tan Tock Seng (2026)

Family - Tan Tock Seng qingming

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Chua Guek Oh (Bukit Brown)

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Qing Ming 2026 encounter with Kharisma again ! (Bukit Brown)

Bukit Brown qingming

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Detective Toh Keng Hua - buried in Bukit Brown ?

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Labels

Bukit Brown902
Hill 3330
Hill 1185
Died Young183
decorative tiles168
Hill 4160
Block 3 Div D151
Block 4 Div A128
Block 3 Div C109
Block 4 Div C107

Show more Show less

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

Total Pageviews

Follow me on Facebook

Subscribe to Youtube Channel

Subscribe to Instagram

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

2026 82

2025 217
- December 10
- November 23
- October 17
- September 10
- August 16
- July 21
- June 16
- May 36
- April 19
- March 21
- February 8
- January 20
2024 187
- December 18
- November 12
- October 26
- September 32
- August 21
- July 7
- June 11
- May 15
- April 13
- March 16
- February 7
- January 9
2023 168
- December 10
- November 7
- October 12
- September 20
- August 10
- July 9
- June 31
- May 18
- April 5
- March 12
- February 12
- January 22
2022 237
- December 11
- November 15
- October 20
- September 6
- August 15
- July 15
- June 12
- May 6
- April 17
- March 37
- February 54
- January 29
2021 326
- December 19
- November 47
- October 36
- September 24
- August 27
- July 31
- June 25
- May 20
- April 17
- March 28
- February 26
- January 26
2020 113
- December 13
- November 21
- October 13
- September 11
- August 8
- July 7
- June 6
- May 8
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 8
2019 52
- December 1
- October 2
- September 5
- August 4
- July 8
- June 7
- May 4
- April 4
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2018 53
- December 2
- November 4
- October 4
- September 5
- August 9
- July 9
- June 3
- April 2
- March 5
- February 5
- January 5
2017 52
- December 1
- November 1
- October 1
- September 2
- August 4
- July 7
- June 8
- May 3
- April 8
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2016 52
- December 4
- August 2
- July 8
- June 3
- May 8
- April 11
- March 10
- February 5
- January 1
2015 43
- December 4
- November 5
- October 3
- July 1
- June 5
- May 1
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 6
2014 92
- December 6
- November 5
- October 7
- September 5
- August 5
- July 11
- June 8
- May 10
- April 8
- March 8
- February 9
- January 10
2013 99
- December 8
- November 9
- October 9
- September 4
- August 4
- July 10
- June 8
- May 8
- April 9
- March 10
- February 10
- January 10
2012 78
- December 7
- November 6
- October 10
- September 5
- August 2
- July 5
- June 4
- May 8
- April 7
- March 9
- February 8
- January 7
2011 44
- December 7
- November 8
- October 2
- September 1
- July 2
- June 5
- May 6
- April 6
- March 3
- February 1
- January 3
2010 29
- December 4
- November 4
- October 8
- September 8
- August 3
- April 2
2008 2
- February 1
- January 1
2007 10
- November 1
- August 4
- June 4
- April 1
2006 11
- November 1
- August 1
- June 3
- March 1
- February 3
- January 2
2005 45
- November 3
- October 3
- May 1
- April 13
- March 25
2004 6
- September 3
- August 3

Show more Show less

Support My Efforts

Popular Post

Lee Poon Lip (Bukit Brown)

Master Lee Poon Lip was born on 12 August 1932 and passed away on 31 March 1938 at the age of 5 years and 7 months. From the marble headstone, it states that he is the beloved grandson of Mr. And Mrs. Yeo Wah Hin. It is interesting that his simple marble headstone is etched entirely in English. Master Lee Poon Lip (1932-1938) Unfortunately i can't find any information about Lee Poon Lip, who was almost 6 years old when he passed away, but is grandparents name provided some information. Yeo Wah Hin was a vice president of the Wales Minstrels Association and it was mentioned that her eldest daughter married on 24 November 1931 at his residence at 11 Enggor Road where more than 300 guest were present. Performing was a ronggeng and a string band and the Wales Minstrels. Yeo Wah Hin was later its President in 1947. He was also the patron of the Oleh oleh Party and also once the President of the Tiang Ho Kok Association (1933) and Amateur Sporting Association (1923). Mr. Yeo...

Khoo Seok Wan and family (Bukit Brown)

Khoo Teck Him, better known as Khoo Seok Wan / Khoo Siok Wan 邱菽园 (1874-1941) was born in Haicheng, Fujian, China and is the son of a wealthy rice merchant Khoo Cheng Tiong and a prominent hokkien leader. Khoo Seok Wan came down with his mother at the age 8 but later returned at the age of 15 to take the county imperial exams. In 1894, he passed the provincial imperial exams with grants him with the title of Ju Ren. Further examination at Beijing failed and his dreams of becoming an imperial official came to end with also bad news that his father, Khoo Cheng Tiong was gravely ill. Khoo Cheng Tiong passed away in June 1896 at the age of 76. His son, Khoo Teck Siong and Khoo Seok Wan were trustees and executors of their father's will. Both inherited $700,000.Both brothers did not inherit however their father's business acumen. Khoo Teck Siong's investment in the Opium and Spirit Farm while Khoo Seok Wan speculation in land and house property brought them to nought. Both appea...

Neo Pee Wan and family (Bukit Brown)

The beautiful and well maintained tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Neo Pee Wan. Mrs Neo Pee Wan nee Madam Peck Imm Neo alias Kerchee passed away at the age of 47 on 26 April 1939 while Mr Neo Pee Wan passed away at the age of 70 on 14 February 1958. From the tomb, the names of their children: Sons: Neo Poh Chuan, Neo Poh Choon, Neo Poh Cheng, Neo Poh Chong Daughters: Neo Ann Neo, Neo Poh Neo Grandsons: Soon Howe, Soon Kim, Soon Heng, Soon Chye Grand-daughters: Lian Neo, Sok Cheng, Sok Yee, Seok Gek The funeral of Mrs. Neo Pee Wan nee Madam Peck Imm Neo alias Kerchee took place on Sunday from her residences, 35-C, Everitt Road off Joo Choo Place to Bukit Brown. Among those who send wreaths, were Neo Pee Teck. (It is from this and blog mentions that Neo Pee Wan and Neo Pee Tec k are likely brothers). The obituary notice of Nee Peo Wan lists that he passed away on the morning of 14th February 1958 in his residence at 22 Cassia Drive, Raffles Park at the age of 69. He is...

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...

Unnamed boy of Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting (Bukit Brown)

The simple marble headstone reads, No 75 Block 4 Here lies the Beloved Boy of Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting To me this tomb is a rare find providing evidence where the baby buried here is unnamed ! Usually after many years of exploring, children who were unnamed and passed away don't even have a proper tombstone / headstone marked for them. The Beloved Boy of Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting (photo courtesy of Soh Ah Beng) What was the boy's name and when did he die ? This information was missing from the tomb. Fortunately with the efforts of Raymond Goh in making the database of Bukit Brown burial registrar searchable , i manage to get a bit more insight about this boy. Child of Joon Ting Too - passed away 6 and 1/2 hours on 8 June 1941. He was buried on 10 June 1941 and was Hainanese boy. So in short it was a unnamed baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting who lived for 6.5 hours before passing on. Who is Mr. and Mrs. Too Joon Ting ? I cannot be ...

Mrs Koh Sek Lim nee Ang Chit Yan (Bukit Brown)

Madam Ang Chit Yan is the wife of Mr. Koh Sek Lim whose legacy is remembered by two road named after him, Koh Sek Lim Road and Xilin Avenue. Madam Ang Chit Yan passed away at her residence Gulega Bedoh Estate, No 655-17, Padang Terbakar, Bedoh (Bedok) at 10:15 pm on Friday, 12th November 1937 at the age of 65. She is survived by her husband, Mr. Koh Sek Lim, 14 sons ( Koh Kong Wee , Koh Kong Wan, Koh Kong Boon, Koh Kong Seng, Koh Kong Sun, Koh Kong Hai, Koh Kong Leong, Koh Kong Hor, Koh Kong Thian and 5 others, 5 daughters-in-law, (Mrs. Koh Kong Wee, Mrs. Koh Kong Wan. Mrs. Koh Kong Seng, Mrs. Koh Kong Sun, Mrs, Koh Kong Hor, 10 daughters, 4 son-in-laws (Yeo Eng Tiong, Wee Swee Seng, Lim Teck Seng, Lim Eng Yong and 30 grandchildren). On her tombstones, the complete names of the sons and daughters include: Sons: Koh Kong Wee , Koh Kong Wan, Koh Kong Boon, Koh Kong Seng, Koh Kong Sun, Koh Kong Hai, Koh Kong Leong, Koh Kong Hor, Koh Kong Thian, Koh Kong Choo, Koh...

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 Paha...

Madam Tan Keng Pin (Greater Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Keng Pin passed away on 4 May 2604 at the age of 24. For those unfamiliar, her tomb carries two different calendar eras / system. On the shoulder shows the Chinese Republic of calendar year which corresponds to 1944 while year 2604 beneath the altar table follows the Japanese koki calendar which translates to 1944. So this is consistent that Madam Tan Keng Pin life was cut short at 24 years old on 4 May 1944. Listed on her tomb is 1 daughter. Madam Tan Keng Pin (Greater Bukit Brown) Location of tomb 8RPH+C92 Singapore 1.336002, 103.828388 Madam Tan Keng Pin tomb is located from a path along Hill 3 Division C that forks to a dirt track that leads to Gymkhana. Right at the start of that path is a tombkeepers hut. Its on this part of this hill colloquially known as "Gelong Pah 黎弄吧. Her tomb is right at the edge of the Hokkien Huay Kuan boundary.

Ng Boo Bee (Taiping)

Ng Boo Bee (1853-1921) 黄务美, was born and educated in Fujian, China before making his way to Malaya, first in Penang before eventually making a name for himself in the State of Perak. His father is Ng Koh Sung and mother, U Choot Kwah. He started out as a brick manufacturer and timber merchant under the name of Chop Swee Bee in Taiping, Ipoh and Teluk Anson. In Taiping, he acquired the tender contract as a railway contractor under Mr. C.R. Hanson, Resident Engineer for Perak Railways and was probably responsible for the building of the first railway in Malaya which connected Taiping to Port Weld. It was during this time he shrewdly acquired land around Kamunting. Ng Boo Bee Millionaire tin miner The land purchases around Kamunting made Ng Boo Bee a millionaire and with that he acquired also various houses in Taiping and also Penang. The Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir John Anderson visited Ng Boo Bee tin mine in 1908 which had at that time, employed 4,500...

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 sta...

Rojak Librarian +

Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
Bukit Brown Cemetery
Bukit Brown Trails
Burial Registrar
Bukit Brown Documentation of Graves
Singapore Heritage Society
Bukit Brown Tomb
Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Our Bedok Kampong House
Good morning yesterday
Oceanskies
Remember Singapore
Yesterday.sg
Bits & Pieces
Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

Bird Ecology Study Group(Singapore)
Nature Society Singapore
Malaysian Nature Society
Singapore Environment Council
S'pore Bird Group
S'pore Butterfly Interest Group
Wild Singapore
Raffles Museum of Bio-Diversity's Habitatnews-
Nature Photographic Society (Singapore)
Oriental Bird Club
Butterfly Circle Checklist

Nature in S'pore and M'sia

Focus Ubin
National Parks(Singapore)
Mangrove Flora and fauna of Sg Buloh
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve-Wildlife Singapore
Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

Daily Moon Phase

Powered by Blogger

2005-2026, All Rights Reserved, Rojak Librarian