Rojak Librarian

William J.B. Ashby / W.J.B. Ashby was the Secretary of the Kinta Sanitary Board and leader of the Eurasian community in Perak. Born in Penang on 28 June 1871, he was the only child of William Ashby, a European Inspector of the Straits Settlement Police.  William J.B. Ashby entered the Perak Government Service in 1891 and retired on 28 June 1926 when holding the post of Secretary, Kinta Sanitary Board. He was awarded the Malayan Certificate of Honour (M.C.H) in 1928 and appointed a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Perak in 1933. He was the Ipoh Club Secretary from 1928-1935 and was the the President of the Ipoh Rotary Club in 1931 and 1932. He served as an unofficial member of the Kinta Sanitary Board from 1931 until his time of death.  Mr. Ashby's other activities included Member of the Licensing Board since 1927, Visiting Justice to the Kinta Prisons, committee member of the Prisoners' Aid Society and Ratepayers' Association and President of the Catholic Action Society. He

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

8 years ago i met the descendants of Yap Geok Song in a very happy gathering to celebrate the clearing and restoration of the tomb after they contacted me. The occasion did not go unnoticed and was reported in Zaobao dated 22 September 2014 . Today (16 April 2022) i was fortunate to meet again the descendants in their annual Qing Ming occasion to honor their ancestor. I am thankful once again for their permission to document this private moment and for allowing me to join them in this special occasion. I was also very happy they remembered me as well and to note that all who attended today are healthy enough to make the journey into the forest despite a wet muddy day. Fortunately everyone arrived to tomb of Yap Geok Song safely and without incident. Experience shows and everyone efficiently did their part to get ready the offerings and prepare for the prayers and subsequently completing it. It was a gathering of sorts as well, where while waiting for their ancestor to "finish ea

Madam Wee Poh Neo passed away at the age of 58 on 2 April 1942. Listed on her tomb are the names of her children; Sons: Cheong Hock Guan, Cheong Hock Hoe  Daughters: Cheong Keong Tee, Cheong Keong Heok The name of the children matches the children of Cheong Koon Seng . It is very likely that Madam Wee Poh Neo is one of the wife of Cheong Koon Seng. Daughter: Cheong Keong Tee The engagement was announced on 15 October 1936 between Mr. Ang Kim Sye of the Bankruptcy Office, Singapore ( sixth son of the late Mr. Ang Seah Im and Mrs. Ang Seah Im) and Miss Cheong Keong Tee (second daughter of the late Mr. Cheong Koong Seng and Mrs. Cheong Koon Seng).  However on 8 January 1937, Miss Cheong keong Tee announced that the engagement was cancelled.  Location of tomb  Block 5, Section E, plot 248 

 Tjoa Tjeng Hin passed away at the age of 74 on 2 April 1942. He is the father of Tjoa Goan Kiat.  Son: Tjoa Goan Kiat  / T.G. Kiat  (unconfirmed guess) Unfortunately with little leads, i can only make guesses for now. The possible lead i have for now is his son, Tjoa Goan Kiat whose unique name appears on the tomb of Tjoa Tjeng Hin. Searching newspaper archives, the names matches with the time period but without a family tree match (or insides from the descendants) i am still making a educated guess.  If my guess is correct, Tjoan Goan Kiat or T.G. Kiat was the managing director of T.G. Kiat Ltd. T.G. Kiat Ltd are producers of the Rose brand syrup which are sold not only in Singapore and throughout the Federation of Malaya, but also to many countries as well. The company was started in 1935 by Mr. Tjoa Goan Kiat with a capital of $16. He not only sold Rose brand syrup but also other products which included sweet Java ketchup, flavouring essences for local aerated water and sweet manu

 Lim Ah Kow passed away at the age of 74 on 26 March 1942.  Location of tomb  Block 5 Section E, plot 237 

 Ee Chai Neo passed away at the age of 51 on 5 April 1942.  She is buried in Block 5 Section E, plot 250.