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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. There are many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the people buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and Birdwatching in some of my articles.

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Showing posts from September, 2011

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New road to cut through Bukit Brown Cemetery

September 18, 2011

birdwatching Bukit Brown cemetery

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Bukit Brown923
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decorative tiles121
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Block 4 Div A96
Hill 288
birdwatching83

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Rojak Librarian: Nature has a lot to teach us, if only we stop to pay attention.

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Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2020)

Newspaper mentions(2022)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

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Popular Post

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

St. John's Church - The "almost" forgotten Church at Old Jurong Road

One of the first villages with a significant Ann Kway population was Hong Kah Village. The name of the village comes from the Hokkien and Teochew term for "bestowing a religion" which was also the colloquial name for Chinese Christians. In 1876, a Chinese Christian convert, Tay Hong Seng contributed 3 acres of land for a church at the 11th milestone. St. John's Church was completed in 1884 and consecrated and dedicated under the name of St. John on 4 February 1884. It held services in Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka. According to oral account , the village was established when parishioners approach the Church pastor who applied to the colonial land bureau and was granted 60 acres of land and 10 families established what was known as "Hong Kah Choon" (Christian Village in Teochew and Hokkien dialect). An 1890 article mentions the mission in Jurong is stable and growing owning to the Christian population that cultivates the soil in that area. source: Jurong Heritage

Madam Phua Kim Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Phua Kim Neo passed away on 3 October 1930. In the burial registrar her name is spelt as Puah Kim Neo and she passed away at the age of 53. Listed on her tomb are her children; Son: Quake Chay Eann Daughters: Quake Kit Neo, Quake Hian Neo Daughter-in-law: Chua Tit Neo Grandsons: Quake Soo Hock, Quake Soo Ghee, Quake Soo Ann, Quake Soo Giak, Quake Soo Jin, Yap Choo Leong Granddaughters: Quake Gake Kuan. Quak Gake Choo, Yap Guat Eng Madam Phua Kim Neo Location of tomb Block 3 Section A, plot 110

Joseph William Cashin and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Joseph William Cashin / J.W. Cashin (1842-1907) was born in Singapore and is the second son of the late Mr. Cashin, a Maltese Inspector of Police. The Cashin family originally from Ireland, came down to Singapore many years ago. Joseph William Cashin was educated at the Christian Brother's Schoo and became a lawyer's clerk after going into work at the legal firm of Mr. F.E. Pereira, followed by Mr. Edwin Koek and finally Mr. J.P. Joaquim. Joseph William Cashin also joined the Opium and Liquor Farms of Singapore, rising the ranks to Managing Director before passing away. With the money, he invested and also made a fortune in land speculation and at one time own many properties, including about 400 shophouses. Joseph William Cashin passed away on 7th August 1907 at his country house at Pongol (Punggol) and the body was brought to his town residence at No 3 Gaylang (Geylang) at the end of the tramway terminus. He is survived by his widow, 3 daughters and an only son. Probate of h

Qing Ming 2022 - Yap Geok Song revisited

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

Kam Swee Guan and family (Bukit Brown)

Kam Swee Guan passed away at the age of 44 on 6 August 1942. In a 1933 article, Kum Swee Guan was listed as the Chairman of the Popular Aerated Works Limited that went into Voluntary Liquidation on December 1933. Kam Swee Guan Family Father: Kam Keng Siang Kam Keng Siang passed away at the age of 61 on January 11, 1926 at his residence in No 22 and 22-1 Kerbau Lane. He leaves behind his widow, four sons; Kam Swee Hin, Kam Swee Guan, Kam Swee Beng, Kam Swee Kiat, two daughters; Kam Swee Neo, Kam Swee Bee, a son-in-law, Chua Cheng Quee and several grandchildren. Kam Keng Siang was buried in Hill 1 Block B plot 65 on 24 January 1926. Probate of his will was granted to Tay Choo Neo (his wife), Kam Swee Guan and Kam Swee Beng. Wife: Madam Khoo Wah Neo nee Mrs. Kam Swee Guan Madam Khoo Wah Neo passed away away at the age of 83 on 20 September 1982. She is survived by: Son: Luke Kam Eng Cheong Daughter-in-law: Nellie Gan Daughter: Lily Kam Son-in-law: Peter Tan Adopted Son: Phua Tin Loon

Wee Chin Kiang (Bukit Brown)

Wee Chin Kiang passed away at No. 421-F Yeo Choo Kang Road (Yio Chu Kang Road) at the age of 52 on 25 October 1933. In the newspaper article, it states he left behind 3 sons, Messrs. Wee Sian Thoe, Wee Sian Leok and Wee Sian Kee), 4 daughters, 1 son-in-law and several grandchildren to mourn his loss. (however on his tomb, 4 names of son were listed). Listed on his tomb are the name of his children; Sons: Wee Sian Thoe, Wee Sian Leok, Wee Sian Kee, Wee Sian Hee Daughters: Wee Suat Neo, Wee Kuan Neo, Wee Sin Neo, Wee Bin Neo Wee Chin Kiang was once the vice President of the Singapore Mutual Improvement Association in 1913. The Association was established in 1912 with its club-house at 9 Short Street. Its President was Tan Chi Kong. In the public examination (15 September 1921) in the bankruptcy of Mr. Wee Chin Kiang of Kiang Brothers, Orchard i get more insights about him. Wee Chin Kiang was born in Singapore and was 39 years (name and timeline for age matches closely making me a bit

The end of former St. John's Church Cemetery at the Old Jurong Road

We had the opportunity to visit the former St. John's Church Cemetery at the Old Jurong Road on 4 February 2023 and to no surprises the hoarding marking the start of the development phase and the destruction of the jungle area and the cemetery. We were curious to see whether the tombs there have been exhumed but found that the area has been undisturbed. There were no markers nor anything stating that the effected tombs will be exhumed as of yet. The signs were cleared when we saw they were already starting to destroy the tar road of the former Old Jurong Road. Next were the green hoardings to prevent eventual entry of humans to the work area. Hoarding up marking the next phase of demolishing the forest The tar road of the Old Jurong Road being destroyed I took some videos to document both the undisturbed tombs there as well as some exhumed ones. Hopefully, proper respect will be given to those still intact and the tombs properly documented before they are exhumed and cleared.

Tan Beng Chye and family (Bukit Brown)

The family cluster of Tan Gim Wee has always been an interesting cluster of family tombs. Over the years, i passed through the once fenced gates to visit. Unfortunately, i have been slow to map the family tree of people buried in that cluster. While checking out the tomb that is partially covered by the fig tree, a name was visible: Madam Ang Chuan Neo , with no mention of death date. Checking closer the tomb shoulder, i could also make up two name of her daughters, Tan Siew Lian and Tan Siew Chin (the rest of the name were partially covered). Checking further with the information i have, i found an article that mentions a Madam Ang Chuan Neo who passed away on 15th December 1980 at the age of 77. She is survived by her daughters; Tan Siew Lian, Tan Siew Chin, Tan Siew Kee, Tan Siew Hok Hazel, Tan Siew Tuan Noreen, Nellie Koh (adopted) and son-in-laws; Loh Mah Siong, Wee Kheng Siong, Teo Khoo Siong, Chia Boon Siang, Lawrence, Quek Liang Teck, George and Lim Tiong Hup, Henry and many

Mrs. E. Faan Kee nee Koh Eng Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. E. Fann Kee nee Koh Eng Neo passed away at the age of 42 at her residence, No. 17-A, Joo Chiat Terrace on 1 April 1932 In January 1914, Mr. E. Faan Kee, (eldest son of E. Chong Choo, late chief clerk of the District Court and nephew of Mr. Cheng Keng Lee, M.C.) married to the eldest daughter of Mr. Tan Teong Yan of New Bridge Road. The ceremonies were performed according to Chinese rites. (This means that E. Fann Kee has more than 1 wife). Mother-in-law: Madam Tan Geok Bee / Mrs. E. Chong Choon Mrs. E. Chong Choon nee Madam Tan Geok Bee passed away at the age of 75 at No. 79 Clemenceau Avenue on 29 September 1939. She is survived by her 5 sons: E. Fann Kee, E. Toon Hee, E. Sip Hee, E. Chan Hee and E. Yam Hee 3 daughters: Mrs. Ching Hong Cheng, Mrs. Tan Yang Cheng and Miss E. Put Neo Mrs. E Chong Choon nee Madam Tan Geok Bee is buried in Bukit Brown. Executors of her will were E. Faan Kee and E. Toon Hee. Brother: E. Toon Hee E. Toon Hee passed away on 6 January 1946. The sol

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