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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Chia Hood Theam and Madam Yan Lan Neo tombstone

February 03, 2026

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Funeral expense of Madam Goh Kim Neo (Bukit Brown)

February 02, 2026

Block 1 Division B Family - Chia Hood Theam funeral cost

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Tan Peck Wan and Lee Siok Tian Neo (Bukit Brown)

February 02, 2026

Block 3 Div D

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Neo Chiew and family (Bukit Brown)

February 01, 2026

Block 3 Div D decorative tiles

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Bukit Brown911
Hill 3332
Hill 1187
Died Young178
Hill 4164
decorative tiles163
Block 3 Div D148
Block 4 Div A120
Block 3 Div C107
Block 4 Div C104

Block 3 Div B101
Hill 296
Lao Sua90
Block 1 Division B88
Block 3 Div A87
birdwatching83
kopi sua75
video66
Greater Bukit Brown55
former bidadari cemetery46
Hill 542
Plus Codes40
ubin37
exhumed34
Bidadari33
Block 1 Division C32
Block 1 Division F32
Ipoh32
St. Michael's Catholic Church Ipoh Cemetery31
marble31
qingming31
Block 2 Division F29
singapore29
war29
whitley cemetery27
pegged26
Stories from the Stones25
Teochew Tomb25
cemetery24
tomb mason24
Block 2 Division B23
Block 2 Division C23
Toa Payoh cemetery23
Banking22
Block 1 Division G21
Gelong Pah21
Images from the Past21
seh ong20
Family - Cheang Hong Lim19
Family - Ong Sam Leong19
sikh guard19
WWII18
Block 5 Division B17
heritage tour17
nature reserve17
unique name17
Block 1 Division E16
Lornie Highway16
Block 1 Div A15
Block 2 Division G15
Malaysia15
Street Name after Pioneers15
Block 5 Division C14
Kinmen14
WW2-Tours14
former Alexandra Cemetery13
Block 4 Div B12
Early Entertainment12
Family - Tan Kim Seng12
Japanese Koki Calender12
Murder12
Pasir Ris Park12
UNESCO12
exhumation12
temple12
Architecture11
Block 2 Division D11
Block 5 Division A11
Block 5 Division D11
Division B11
Youtube Shorts11
heritage trail11
kranji war memorial11
sungai buloh11
Aerial view10
Block 1 Division D10
Division A10
Division C10
Doctor10
Family - Gan Eng Seng10
Suicide10
book review10
choa chu kang cemetery10
tampines eco green10
Birding9
Division D9
ceramic photo9
nature trail9
newspaper mentions9
nostalgia9
war hero9
Family - Chia Hood Theam8
Family - Tan Tock Seng8
Mandai Columbarium8
Nature Society Singapore8
choa chu kang christian cemetery8
hornbill8
pengerang8
railway8
Block 5 Division E7
Changi Village7
Elliot Collection7
Family - Lim Nee Soon7
Heritage Houses7
Merchant7
Penang7
accident7
circus7
former Bukit Brown cemetery7
kheam hock road village7
old photo7
ong burial ground7
queenstown7
sungei buloh7
Block 3 Division A6
Christian Tomb6
Epitaph6
Family - Ho Siak Kuan6
Family - Lim Khiam Soon6
Family - Ong Ewe Hai6
Family - Tan Kheam Hock6
Family - Tan Piah Eng6
Harrison Forman Collection6
Kapitan Cina6
Pauper Section 16
St. Joseph Church Cemetery6
block 2 Division H6
butterflies6
chek jawa6
contractor6
eagle6
exhibition6
johor6
ktm6
tan gulong6
tombkeeper6
Block 1 Division A5
Bricks5
Burial Receipt5
Door Gods5
Family - Choa Giang Thye5
Family - Lim Liak5
Family - Oei Bok Sien5
Family - Pang Cheng Yean5
Family - Tan Gim Wee5
Family - Tan Kim Ching5
Nature of Bukit Brown5
Police5
bird behaviour5
cross5
garden of remembrance5
japanese tomb5
oriental pied hornbill5
All Saints Memorial4
Family - Khoo Teng Hin4
Family - Tan Ean Kiam4
Family - Tan Kim Tian4
Nesting4
Reconnecting4
Singapore Botanic Gardens4
Stories from the tiles4
Yeo Clan Burial Ground4
alexandra4
botanic gardens4
bukit timah4
filial piety4
history4
kranji marshland4
old changi hospital4
railway bridge4
reservoir4
Alexandra Cemetery3
Art Nouveau3
Block 2 Division A3
Block 3 Div 33
Block 3 Division 73
Catholic3
Choa Chu Kang Columbarium3
Church3
Earth Deity3
Family - Chew Boon Lay3
Family - Chew Geok Leong3
Family - Chua Soon Leong3
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Family - Lim Ho Puah3
Family - Lim Keng Tiam3
Family - Seow Chye Watt3
Family - Tan Jiak Kim3
Family - Teo Hock Jin3
Family - Yeo Tiong Wee3
Fraser Hill3
Old Jurong Road3
Parsee3
Pauper Section 1 Division 93
Photo of the Month3
Raptor Watch3
Rubber Estates3
St. Andrew's Church Mission3
Tongmenghui3
certificate3
choa chu kang parsi cemetery3
kranji3
nparks3
opera3
peck san teng cemetery3
peranakan3
peranakan museum3
railway station3
school3
shipowner3
Batu Pahat2
Block 2 Division E2
Building Plans2
Burial Registrar2
Chinese Female Pioneer2
Choa Chu Kang Jewish Cemetery2
Circular Road2
Civil Servant2
Colugo2
Communal Trench2
Family -Tan Hiok Nee2
Family - Ang Choon Seng2
Family - Chao Chuan Ghiock2
Family - Chee Soon Keng2
Family - Cheong Koon Seng2
Family - Chia Peck Koon2
Family - Chua Cheng Hock2
Family - Gaw Boon Chan2
Family - Hoe Hoon Seng2
Family - Khoo Phee Soon2
Family - Koh Cheng Kiat2
Family - Koh Sek Lim2
Family - Kwa Siew Tee2
Family - Lee Pang Kok2
Family - Ngo Yam Bee2
Family - Oh Sian Guan2
Family - Oon Chin Soon2
Family - Peck Chin Kiat2
Family - Song Ong Siang2
Family - Tan Beng Gum2
Family - Tan Keong Saik2
Family - Teo Hoo Lye2
Family - Wee Boon Teng2
Family - Yeo Cheow Wai2
Family -Choa Eng Wan2
Family -Tan Tock Seng2
Figs2
George Town2
Government Gazette2
Grey Heron2
Heng San Teng2
Hong Ka2
Industrialist2
Japanese2
Japanese Cemetery2
Jurong Brickworks2
Lawyer2
Lorong Buangkok2
Malaysia Nature Society2
Maritime and Port Authority2
North Bridge Road2
Outreach2
Parsi2
Pauper Section 3 Division 72
Pauper Section 3 Section 92
Pauper Section 4 Division 22
Sago Lane2
Say Tian Hng2
Tin Miner2
angels2
binoculars2
books2
chinese2
commonwealth2
crocodile2
customs2
dawson2
deities2
fire dragon2
funeral cost2
hearse2
keppel2
kluang2
labrador2
lorong halus2
macritchie2
malaya2
monument2
moth2
mount vernon columbarium2
museum2
national day2
parrots2
raffles lighthouse2
red jungle fowl2
rituals2
sime forest2
soldiers2
tanglin halt2
tanjong pagar2
trader2
wayside trees2
woodpecker2
日本2
11 milestone Jurong1
A1
ACRES1
AI1
Art Deco Tomb1
Ave Maria Convent1
Batam Bricks1
Black-crowned Night Heron1
Block 11
Block 2 Pauper Section1
Block 3 Division 21
Block 3 Division C1
Block 4 Division 31
Block 4 Division 61
Block 4 Division 71
Boundary Marker1
Cheras Christian Cemetery1
Church of St. Teresa1
City Hall1
Commando1
Confucius Calendar1
Crypt1
Division 31
Division F1
Division G1
Division H1
Educator1
Family - Chan Kim Boon1
Family - Chao Kim Keat1
Family - Chia Ann Siang1
Family - Choa Chuan Ghiock1
Family - Choo Eng Choon1
Family - Chua Kim Teng1
Family - Dr. Lim Boon Keng1
Family - Jacob Low Kiok Chiang1
Family - Kho Keng Chuan1
Family - Khoo Kay Hian1
Family - Khoo Pee Soon1
Family - Khoo Tiong Poh1
Family - Lee Choon Guan1
Family - Lim Eng Keng1
Family - Lim Kwee Eng1
Family - Lim Pye Lan1
Family - See Ewe Boon1
Family - Tan Kah Kee1
Family - Tan Tye1
Family - Tan Yong Thian1
Family - Teo Eng Hock1
Family - Wee Bin1
Family -Choo Eng Choon1
Family -Ee Eng Wah1
Family -Lim Lan1
Family -Ong Sam Leong1
Family -See Eng Wat1
Family -Song Hoot Kiam1
Gaylads Minstrels1
Golden Bell Minstrels1
Golf1
Hong Kong1
Journey to the West1
Jubilee Theatre1
Kusu Island1
Labuan1
Librarians1
Lieutenant China1
Lorong Halwa1
Mausoleum1
Mount Pleasant1
Muslim Cemetery1
National Gallery Singapore1
National Stadium1
Nyonya1
Offerings1
Oleh Oleh Party1
Opium and Spirit Farmer1
Panti1
Park Connector1
Pauper 1 Division 81
Pauper Section 3 Division 31
Pauper Section Division 101
Politican1
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Python1
Rattan1
Red-brick building1
Republic of China1
Resource Guide1
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Seet Hong K1
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Singapore Chinese Girls School1
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St1
St. George1
St. Michael Catholic Cemetery1
Stone Carvings1
Student Protest1
Taiping1
Teochew Opera1
URA Masterplan1
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architect1
art1
bar-tailed godwit1
belum1
benches1
bird rescue1
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bound feet1
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brahminy kite1
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choa chu kang christian Family -Tan Keong Saik1
closure1
corals1
crypt house1
dairy farm1
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died almost same time1
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esplanade1
firefly1
flora and fauna1
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football1
fu lu shou1
henghua1
heritage trade1
highway1
hindhede1
holland village1
indian heritage centre1
joo chiat1
kampong1
kuala lumpur1
kuala lumpur kwong tong cemetery1
labor complications1
lantern1
lions1
lorrikets1
malay words1
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marionettes1
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open to public1
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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)

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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Soh Koon Eng remembered (Bukit Brown)

On 8 December 1941 at around four in the morning, the first bombs were dropped on Singapore. 61 people died and more than 700 were injured. By late January 1942, Singapore was already under constant attack by Japanese planes and an estimated 150-200 people was said to have died each day as direct result of the constant air harassment. Soh Koon Eng, 19 years old It was 27 January 1942, the air-raid siren was already becoming a frightening yet familiar sound and the population under blitz braced itself for further devastation. A young 19 year old girl by the name of Soh Koon Eng was at a friends place in Lorong 18, off Geylang Road when the siren went off. She decided to hurry home to her house at no 28, Lorong 20, despite her friend telling her to wait for the "all-clear". Soh Koon Eng (photo courtesy of Geraldine Soh) Miss Soh Koon Eng did manage to get home and sought shelter under the altar table of their family /ancestral temple together with the rest of the fami...

The story behind the iconic fig tree in Bukit Brown- Teo Chye Neo found

Madam Teo Chye Neo who lived in 40-A Onan Road was stab in the face and neck after a quarrel with a 16 year old Hylam Boy by the name of Yeo Tin Keng alias Ah Neok (Little Boy) who was employed as a cook in the deceased 's house at 10am in the morning of 23 June 1933. She died as result of extensive hemorrhage. It was also understood that Teo Chye Neo (who was married to Tan Siang Hee) had been pregnant for 7 months. Teo Chye Neo passed away at the age of 27 and was buried in Bukit Brown on 25 June 1933. Her burial entry is at Block 3 Section D, plot 373. Today we tried to find Teo Chye Neo and her unborn child. We found that a huge fig tree, a landmark in Bukit Brown hill 3 as taken over. Tombkeeper Queenie confirmed that there used to be a tomb there when she was young but even back as young lady, the fig tree with it aerial roots hanging down its branches has slowly enveloped the headstone. The fig tree that has engulfed the tomb of Madam Teo Chye Neo The fig tree w...

Sheums Circus

Shanghai-born, Mr. Sheum Cheng Fook first started out as a strongman in an acrobatic show in Hong Kong at the age of 19. In 1927, when the troupe performed in Penang, he decided to start his own circus in a small way- with a pair of tigers he bought with his life savings. Sheum Cheang Fook held a reception on 1 August 1941 at the New World to celebrate the grand opening of his circus in Singapore where more than 50 Chinese artistes will perform. Mr. Sheum's circus is back again in Singapore after an absence of 3 years where it tour China and the Philippines. The longest place it stay during this particular was in Hong Kong were it stayed for 11 months. After the war, a penniless Mr. Sheum went to Thailand and gave acrobatic shows. With the earnings and help of friends, he managed to re-built his circus again post war. Veteran Malaysian circus owner and performer, Mr. Sheum Cheang Fook announced his retirement at the age of 70 after spending 51 years of his life at the big top. He h...

Funeral of Tay Koh Yat at Bukit Brown

I am fortunate to get a glimpse of rare photos, this time of a gentlemen who was well loved by the people during his lifetime - Mr. Tay Koh Yat (鄭古悅) (1880-1957) , recipient of the Certificate of Honor, Order of the British Empire. This rare photos that i selected for this article were of his funeral procession at Bukit Brown and the photos came to light because it was donated by the family of Tay Soo Choon (one of Tay Koh Yat's son) and made available online via National Library Board (NLB) . For those who are not familiar with Tay Koh Yat, his story is one of rags to riches, eventually becoming the Proprietor of Tay Koh Yat Bus Company. He was also a war hero, a community leader and staunch anti-communist. He was conferred the Order of the British Empire in 1952 for his courage in keeping the bus service in operation despite Communist threats and repeated arsons. Tay Koh Yat passed away at midnight, 29 January 1957 (Chinese New Year eve) at his home at No. 58 Tras Stre...

Tekong Brickworks

While exploring Bukit Brown Block 4 Section C recently, i came across a tomb with headstone that has fallen and bricks in disarray. It caught my eye because one as the word Tekong etched on it. I have seen bricks with Alexandra or A.B.W etched on it, but i actually came across only very few with Tekong in Bukit Brown. Tekong Brick Some information about the Pulo Tekong Bricks A report of the Government Commission that i read on 30 August 1918 mentioned that the important brick fields which supply Singapore are; Alexandra Brickworks (output of 7.5 million per annum) Tekong Brickwords (output of 3 million per annum) Batam Brickworks (output of 3.5 million per annum) The Johore Government is a large buyer of bricks in Singapore. In 1918, it purchase from Alexandra Brickwork 2.5 million of its bricks amounting to 1/3 of its output. With plans for the new railway station and public housing, it was reported that the current output is insufficient to meet future demand. ...

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...

Tay Koh Yat (Bukit Brown)

Tay Koh Yat (1880-29 January 1957) C.H., O.B.E, was born in Kinmen in 1880 and came down to Singapore in 1902 at the age of 22 as a poor immigrant and got a job as a $2-a-month clerk in a Chinese shop were his duties include sweeping floors. He then joined Chop Guan Seng Hin as a partner.At the age of 32, he established Guan Soon (branches in Indonesia and Penang), followed by Aik Seng Hin and finally Chin Joo Seng and Co. His name (to a much older generation of Singaporeans) is linked to his namesake bus company called Tay Koh Yat Bus Company. Starting from just 2 buses in 1921, it went on to become one of the largest in the colony. He was also a director of the Chung Shin Jit Poh, a Chinese newspaper and committee member of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Hokkien Huay Kuan. Tay Koh Yat was also a chairman of the Thong Chai Hospital at Eu Tong Sen Street. Tay Koh Yat (source: NLB ) Tay Koh Yat Bus - 1951 advertisement (source: NewspaperSG) War Hero A l...

Valley of Death (Siglap)

There was a series of pictures that were recently published on PictureSG, donated by Foo Chin Hwa 胡拯华 1962 that got me curious. It was a series of pictures that shows and describes exhumation being carried out and bones found in Siglap. However nothing further was added in the description and credit line of this pictures except for a few. For this series of pictures, a few things were consistent, the year the pictures were taken and the donor, Foo Chin Hwa 胡拯华. source: PictureSG Bones found in Siglap (source: PictureSG) Piles of discarded footwear source: PictureSG Storing bones in jar (source: PictureSG) Siglap's "Valley of Death" The newspaper article headline of 24 February 1962 caught my attention. It describes a recent sandwashing activity at 7.5 mile Siglap Road which led to a discovery of mass war graves. The location of this place is off Evergreen Avenue and very close to Puay Poon School. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce set-up a ...

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...

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...