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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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Pauper 4 Section 3 - plot 592

September 27, 2026

Mutual Help Associations Pauper Section 4 Division 3 Youtube Shorts

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Madam Tan Seok Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 27, 2026

Pauper Section 4 Division 2

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Children buried together in the Pauper Section 4 Division 3 (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Died Young Pauper Section 4 Division 3

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Chua Hood Kye (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Died Young marble Pauper Section 4 Division 1 Youtube Shorts

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Gan Koh Siew (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Pauper Section 4 Division 1

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Madam Ang Poo Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Pauper Section 4 Division 1

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Madam Goh Nia Chit (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Pauper Section 4 Division 1

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Lee Ah Moey (Bukit Brown)

September 26, 2026

Died Young Pauper Section 4 Division 1

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Madam Tan Nya Chik (Bukit Brown)

September 24, 2026

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Mrs. Tan Guan Kheng nee Madam Ho Liang Geok (Bukit Brown)

September 24, 2026

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Madam Khoo Poon Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 22, 2026

block 2 Division H

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Madam Tan Liew Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 22, 2026

block 2 Division H

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Kuek Phuay Gin (Bukit Brown)

September 22, 2026

block 2 Division H Died Young marble

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Mrs. Chia Toon Whatt nee Madam Giam Chye Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H Fig Tree marble Youtube Shorts

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Chew Ann Jian and Madam Lim Siang Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H decorative tiles Youtube Shorts

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Neo Lian Eng (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H decorative tiles Fig Tree

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Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H Died Young Youtube Shorts

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Unique Ceramic Floor Tile

September 15, 2026

Block 3 Div A Bukit Brown floor tiles Youtube Shorts

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Labels

Bukit Brown888
Hill 3328
Died Young201
Hill 1183
decorative tiles180
Block 3 Div D152
Hill 4152
Block 4 Div A142
Block 3 Div C129
Block 4 Div C107

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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

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Popular Post

Wong Chin Yoke - a war hero (Bukit Brown)

Today, 15 February 2012 is the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore and this article is timely. Mr Wong Chin Yoke ( Wong Chin Yok) is buried in Hill 4 Division A where the tall Sikh guards are located, has an interesting story alerted to me recently by a posting on facebook by Raymond Goh that he was a war hero, and that got me researching further. Wong Chin Yoke King's Police Medal A detective constable for many years, rising up the ladder from a grade 5 detective in 1921 to the rank of Inspector in 1928. In 1938, he was awarded the King's Police Medal (the highest honour for policeman) for his role in suppression of subversive organisations in the Special Branch (Political Intelligence). He played a huge role in the clean-up of communist in 1929 and 1933. The previous year, 1937, he was one of the recipients of the Coronation Medal. Wong Chin Yoke receiving the King's Police Medal in 1938 A dent in his record In 1924, he accidentally sho...

Tan Huck Wan (Bukit Brown)

This is a sad and tragic story that was shared to me about Mr. Tan Huck Wan via the Bukit Brown facebook and inspired me to write further. Mr. Tan Huck Wan (1916-1944) is the the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chong Chew and grandson of Mr Tan Kheam Hock . Mr Tan Chong Chew is the main labour contractor for the Singapore Harbour Board. Tan Huck Wan studied in Anglo Chinese School and was gifted in sports. He played cricket, hockey and football for the SCRC and YMCA during 1935-1941. Tan Huck Wan and Madam Lim Chin Choo $100,000 worth of Jewels Mr. Tan Huck Wan married Miss Lim Chin Choo (third daughter of Mrs. Lim Mah Seang from Penang) in 17 Sept 1939 in a very traditional but grand affair. During the wedding procession, they were escorted by police guards as the bride was wearing $100,000 worth of jewelry with the bridal clothing specially imported from Penang. The band of the 2nd Battalion, Loyal Regiment accompanied the procession and a ronggeng party capped the cele...

Chua Hood Kye (Bukit Brown)

The marble tomb needed clean up as it was covered with moss. After some cleaning the tomb, it was all etched in English and it reads; In Loving Memory of Chua Hood Kye Beloved Son of Mr & Mrs Chua Teck Kim Who Passed Away 13-12-34 Age 4 Years. Chua Hood Kye was only 4 years when he passed away on 13 December 1934. In the burial registrar, the entry for his name is written as Chua Hock Kye Chua Hood Kye Possible Connection I really cannot be sure who Chua Teck Kim parents are, but within that timeline, this is a possible connection of his parents. If i follow this version, the possible story is this: Father: Chua Teck Kim Chua Teck Kim of No. 57 Killiney Road, Singapore , Clerk - a bankruptcy notice for him appeared on June 1937. Bankruptcy Ordinance Notice for Chua Teck Kim A bankrupt, Chua Teck Kim, attributed his insolvency to standing surety for his for mother for $26,00. This liabilities eventually snowballed to $33,000 when he eventually beca...

Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone with lead etching was broken from the top right down to bottom in 2 parts. Fortunately we are still able to see who is buried there after some clean-up. In Loving Remembrance of Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo Age 5 Years Eldest Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Tan Teng Leong On Sunday the 29 April 1928 (10 Day of the 3rd Chinese Moon) Chi Cik alias Miss Tan Hood Neo was only 5 years old when she passed away. In the burial entry her age was listed as only 3 years old. Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo It is interesting to note that the time it took to built the tomb was slightly more than a month as the below headstone clearly stated it was erected on 10 June 1928. This gives a good indication of possibly of how it needs to construct a tomb after one pass away. Family Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Tan Teng Leong The engagement was announced on 7 March 1922 of Mr. Tan Teng Leong (eldest son of the late Mr. Tan Chin Seng and Clerk of The Asiatic Petroleum Co, (SS) Ltd...

Mrs. Chia Toon Whatt nee Madam Giam Chye Neo (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone is in danger of breaking with the fig tree growing behind it slowly pushing the headstone further down. Beneath the altar table, the marble stone after some cleaning reads; In remembrance of Madam Giam Chye Neo beloved wife of Mr. Chia Toon Whatt. Madam Giam Chye Neo passed away at the age of 39 on 17 December 1927. The names of their children; Son : Chia Kim Onn Daughter: Chia Bi Neo, Chia Chwee Neo, Chia Chin Neo, Chia Kim Neo, Chia Quek Neo, Chia ? (some names i can't make out) Mrs. Chia Toon Whatt nee Madam Giam Chye Neo Husband: Chia Toon Whatt / Chia Toon Watt Mr. Chia Toon Whatt passed away at the age of 62 at his residence, 554 Sims Avenue (off Lorong 37, Gayland Road) Singapore on Sunday, 7 April 1940. He left behind; 8 daughters, 4 sons-in-law: Messrs. Tan Cheok Chua, Tan Bah Chee, Liow Tiow Kee and Lim Yew Hock, 1 future son-in-law: Mr. Tan Cheok Sua and 17 grandchildren. He was buried in Bidadari Ceme...

Tan Chong Chew and family (Bukit Brown)

Tan Chong Chew (1894-1969) was one of the sons of Tan Kheam Hock . Tan Chong Chew studied in Raffles Institution before completing his studies in England where he completed his studies with third class honors. He returned to Singapore where he was first attached to the Wharf Accounts Department under Mr. W.S. Barett and afterwards to the Tonnage Department under Mr. H.B. Leicester where he gained valuable insight into the wharf work. Up to 1940, Tan Chong Chew has served under 3 Chairman, Sir John Nicholson, then Mr. S.A. Lane and Mr. G.W.A. Trimmer. Tan Chong Chew was the manager of the Eastern Mining and Rubber Company and Head of the Tanjong Pagar Labour Company, which is a contractor to the Singapore Harbour Board, that manages 2,000 men to move 10,000 tons of coal and cargo a day ( his father, Tan Kheam Hock, originally secured the labour contract for Tanjong Pagar Docks). He was appointed Justice of Peace in 1939. Tan Chong Chew was a recipient of a certificate b...

Madam Khoo Poon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Khoo Poon Neo passed away at the age of 35 on 21 May 1928. Listed on her tomb are the name of her children; Sons: Koh Hin Chye, Koh Hin Leong Daughter: Koh Hye Kee Madam Khoo Poon Neo Location of tomb Block 2 Division H, plot 108. From the burial registrar, Khoo Poon Neo's age was listed as 27. Madam Khoo Poon Neo tomb in Bukit Brown

Children buried together in the Pauper Section 4 Division 3 (Bukit Brown)

While exploring Pauper Section 4, Division 3, we came across a clearing where there were no tombs in quite a large area except for 1 tomb (see below). That got us curious. The solitary tomb fortunately had a plot number attached. Nearby this solitary tomb were some visible plot markers - 711 (with the 7 broken), 721. 732 and 743. With this information, i am able to map who are the people buried here in Pauper 4 Division 3 . Let me start with the one with the solitary tombstone found first. Koh Chee Cheng - Male - 1 year and 1 month old - Hokkien - died 6 June 1941.v-plot 733 Koh Chee Cheng - passed away at the age of 1 year and 1 month old on 6 June 1941 Using the plot markers as evidence, i am able to uncover those who are buried nearby baby Koh Chee Cheng. They carry no tombs but only plot markers. Buried in the same plot of 733 plot marker, but subdivided are: Unamed child of Ng Chee Seng -Male- (age not stated) - Hokkien - died 6 June 1941 (plot 733A) Child of Seet...

Neo Lian Eng (Bukit Brown)

The fig has engulfed the marble headstone of Madam Neo Lian Eng to a state that it makes it difficult to remove it anymore. In another couple of years, her tombstone will be completely gone. We cut what we can of its strangling vines so that we document her tomb for one last time. This may be the last of her memory. Madam Neo Liang Eng passed away on 3 December 1927 at the age of 43. Madam Neo Lian Neo Location of tomb Block 2 Division H, plot 366 Tomb of Madam Neo Lian Neo (photo taken on 19 September 2026)

Madam Tan Liew Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Liew Neo passed away at the age of 76 on 19 May 1928. She leaves behind; Daughter: Cheong Gee Neo Granddaughter: Mary Cheong Adopted Son: Tan Eng Wah Madam Tan Liew Neo Location of tomb Block 2 Division H, plot 95 In the burial entry, her name is written as Tan Yew Neo Madam Tan Liew Neo tomb in Bukit Brown

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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
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Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Our Bedok Kampong House
Good morning yesterday
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Remember Singapore
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Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

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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

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