A series of pictures on PictureSG on tombstones at the former Bidadari Cemetery got me curious and interested to research further. It was a series of pictures which included the tomb of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and his family. Philip Julian Low Gek Seng / P.J. Low Gek Seng /Low Gek Seng was the managing director of the old established firm Messrs. Kiam Hoa Heng & Co of Bangkok.. Born in Singapore on 1st May 1870, he was the son of Mr. Low Kiok Chiang, Manager of Messrs. Kiam Hoa Heng and Co. Ltd. Philip Julian Low Gek Seng was labelled as one of the pioneers of the rubber industry in Malaya. Reading further, both father and son were prominent Roman Catholic church philanthropists. Philip Julian Low Gek Seng passed away on 7th February 1945 at Valreas, France at the age of 75. His body was sealed in oaken lead-lined coffin in a French mausoleum until 1948 when he shipped back via a passenger ship from Marseilles to Singapore. His coffin was placed at his residence at No. 54 Waterloo Street before burial at Bidadari Cemetery following Roman Catholic rites.
At the tomb of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng, the names of his surviving children are listed as; Low Choon Mong, Low Hoa Choon Mong, Low Hoa Mong, Loo Soo Mui, Low Soo Keow.
Low Kiok Chiang was the founder of the firm Kiam Hoa Heng and Co. Born in China, he left there as a poor man in a junk headed for Singapore, and through sheer hard work managed to be successful. At about the age of 20 years old, he converted to the Roman Catholic faith. He also set up business in Penang and later came to Bangkok to do business. He was one of the benefactors for the building of the Church of the Holy Rosary and Cheong Quee Theam, Low Kok Chiang and Chan Teck Hee were named principal benefactors for the building of The Church of Sacred Heart at Tank Road. Low Kiok Chiang passed away on 12th March 1911 at Bangkok at the age of 69. He is survived by a large family of relatives including 3 brothers in China, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. The remains were brought back to Singapore for interment. Today his tomb resides in Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.
Mother-in-law: Magdalene Lee Gek Hiok (died 1928)
Magdalene Lee Gek Hiok wife of Joseph Teo Ting Chew is the mother of Mary Teo Ah-Phang. Magdalene Lee Geok Hiok passed away at the age of 87 on 29th January 1928. The tomb was erected by P.J. Low Gek Seng (his son-in-law) / Philip Julian Low Gek Seng in 1934.
Wife: Mary Teo Ah-Phang / Teo Ah Phang /Teo An Phang (1868-1918)
Mary Teo Ah-Phang, wife of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng was born in Singapore on 16th July 1868 and passed away at Brighton on 3rd October 1918. She is survived by (from the engraving on the tomb), her sons; Joseph Low Choon Mong , Anthony Low Hoa Mong, Thomas Low Song Mong, daughters; Anastasia Low Soo Noi, Veronica Low Soo Mooi, Rosa Low Soo Keo. The name of son-in-laws listed are: Tan Cheow Wah, Lee Keng Tye, Chan Chin Kwang
Son: Low Hoa Mong / Anthony Low Hoa Mong
Anthony Low Hoa Mong (younger son of Mr. P.J. Low Gek Seng of Singapore and Brighton) married Miss Cecilia Wee Sai Cheng (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Wee Cheng Soon of Singapore. The wedding was solemnised at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Queen Street by the Right Rev. Father Mariette, Vicar-General. The reception was held at the residence of the bridegroom at 54 Waterloo Street. Below is the wedding photo of Anthony Low Hua Mong (son of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and Mary Teo Ah Phang). The bride is Cecilia Wee Sai Cheng. She is the daughter of Wee Cheng Soon and Regina Tan. The man with the foldable hand fan is Philip Julian Low Gek Seng, father of the groom. The little girl on the extreme right is Mary Low. Mary Low is the niece of the groom and granddaughter of the groom's father. (This National Archives photo was described by researcher, Marc Rerceretnam on 12 April 2019).
Anthony Low Hoa Mong passed away on 11th December 1959 at 4 Oakland Avenue, Esther, Surrey, England. He is survived by his wife, 5 sons, 4 daughters and 1 son-in-law.
Son: Low Song Mong / Thomas Low Song Mong (1903-1920)
Low Song Mong was born in Bangkok on 2nd March 1903 and passed away at Brighton on 8th June 1920. This means that he was 17 years when he passed away. His tomb at the former Bidadari Cemetery also mentions that he is the youngest son of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and Mary Teo An Phang.
Daughter: Low Soo Mui / Veronica Low Soo Mui
Veronica Low Soo Mui passed away on 21st January 1968 at the age of 76. From the obituary notice, its list the name of her 2 sons; Phillip and Tommy, 2 daughter-in-laws; Margaret and Lily, grandchildren; Phillis, Peter, Marianne and Timothy.
Daughter: Low Soo Choo / Mrs. Chan Chin Kwang (died 1914)
Cecilia Low Soo Choo, wife of Mr. Chan Chin Kwang, 3rd daughter of Mr and Mrs. P.J. Low Gek Seng of Brighton, England, grand-daughter-in-law of Mr and Mrs. Chan Teck Hee, daughter-in-law of Mr and Mrs. Chan Yong Seng of Singapore, passed away after a prolonged illness at 169 Middle Road on 29th June 1914 at the age of 23. She leaves behind her husband, 2 sons and 1 daughter to mourn her loss.
Daughter: Low Soo Keow /Rosa Low Soo Keow /Rosa Chan Chin Kwang (died 1950)
Rosa Low Soo Keow of 54 Waterloo St. passed away at the age of 52 on 21st November 1950. Interment was at Bidadari Cemetery. From an 1948 article, Rosa is mentioned to be Mrs. Chan Chin Kwang. ( It is possible that Henry Chan Chin Kwang married Low Soo Keow after her sister Low Soo Choo passed away ? )
Grand-niece: Nangsao Vani Laohakiarti
Miss Bangkok, 16 year Nangsao Vani Laohakiarti was crowned Miss Siam in a beauty queen contest in 1935. She is the daughter of retired police officer, Capt. Bun Chin . Her grandmother is a sister of Mr. Low Gek Seng, a former well-known resident of Bangkok.
54 Waterloo Street
Constructed in the early 1900s along Waterloo Street, the units were initially built as residences. Number. 54 was home to Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and his family from the 1920s to 1950s.
[research on-going]
References
Untitled. (1906, March 16). Eastern Daily Mail and Straits Morning Tribune, page 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death of Mr. Low Kiok Chiang. (1911, March 22). The Straits Times, page 9.Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1914, July 1). The Singapore Free Press, page 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Untitled. (1926, March 23). The Singapore Free Press, page 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Social and Personal. ( 1923, September 22). The Straits Times, page 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Society and Personal. (1926, July 30). Malaya Tribune, page 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Siam's Beauty Queen. (1935, December 18). Malaya Tribune, page 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
An exile returns for last rest. (1948, February 10). The Straits Times, page 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1950, November 22). The Straits Times, page 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1968, January 22). The Straits Times, page 22. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Tans-Chan-Low-Chia Connection. Tans of Makepeace Road. (Pdf). Last accessed 24 September 2020
Studio Portrait of a wedding Party. Lee Brothers Studio. National Archives of Singapore.
54-58 Waterloo Street. Roots. (website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Jacob Low Kiok Chiang. History of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The virtual exhibition.(website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
David Wee Cheng Soon. History of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The virtual exhibition.(website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [5]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [3]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [1]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
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| Philip Julian Low Gek Seng (source: National Archives) |
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| Tomb of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng at Bidadari (source: PictureSG) |
At the tomb of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng, the names of his surviving children are listed as; Low Choon Mong, Low Hoa Choon Mong, Low Hoa Mong, Loo Soo Mui, Low Soo Keow.
Family
Father: Low Kiok Chiang / Jacob Low Kiok Chiang /Jacobe Low Khok Chiang (died 1911)Low Kiok Chiang was the founder of the firm Kiam Hoa Heng and Co. Born in China, he left there as a poor man in a junk headed for Singapore, and through sheer hard work managed to be successful. At about the age of 20 years old, he converted to the Roman Catholic faith. He also set up business in Penang and later came to Bangkok to do business. He was one of the benefactors for the building of the Church of the Holy Rosary and Cheong Quee Theam, Low Kok Chiang and Chan Teck Hee were named principal benefactors for the building of The Church of Sacred Heart at Tank Road. Low Kiok Chiang passed away on 12th March 1911 at Bangkok at the age of 69. He is survived by a large family of relatives including 3 brothers in China, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. The remains were brought back to Singapore for interment. Today his tomb resides in Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.
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| Jacobe Low Khiok Chiang |
Mother-in-law: Magdalene Lee Gek Hiok (died 1928)
Magdalene Lee Gek Hiok wife of Joseph Teo Ting Chew is the mother of Mary Teo Ah-Phang. Magdalene Lee Geok Hiok passed away at the age of 87 on 29th January 1928. The tomb was erected by P.J. Low Gek Seng (his son-in-law) / Philip Julian Low Gek Seng in 1934.
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| Tomb of Magdalene Lee Gee Hiok (source: PictureSG) |
Wife: Mary Teo Ah-Phang / Teo Ah Phang /Teo An Phang (1868-1918)
Mary Teo Ah-Phang, wife of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng was born in Singapore on 16th July 1868 and passed away at Brighton on 3rd October 1918. She is survived by (from the engraving on the tomb), her sons; Joseph Low Choon Mong , Anthony Low Hoa Mong, Thomas Low Song Mong, daughters; Anastasia Low Soo Noi, Veronica Low Soo Mooi, Rosa Low Soo Keo. The name of son-in-laws listed are: Tan Cheow Wah, Lee Keng Tye, Chan Chin Kwang
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| Mary Teo Ah Phang's tomb (source: PictureSG) |
Son: Low Hoa Mong / Anthony Low Hoa Mong
Anthony Low Hoa Mong (younger son of Mr. P.J. Low Gek Seng of Singapore and Brighton) married Miss Cecilia Wee Sai Cheng (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Wee Cheng Soon of Singapore. The wedding was solemnised at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Queen Street by the Right Rev. Father Mariette, Vicar-General. The reception was held at the residence of the bridegroom at 54 Waterloo Street. Below is the wedding photo of Anthony Low Hua Mong (son of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and Mary Teo Ah Phang). The bride is Cecilia Wee Sai Cheng. She is the daughter of Wee Cheng Soon and Regina Tan. The man with the foldable hand fan is Philip Julian Low Gek Seng, father of the groom. The little girl on the extreme right is Mary Low. Mary Low is the niece of the groom and granddaughter of the groom's father. (This National Archives photo was described by researcher, Marc Rerceretnam on 12 April 2019).
Anthony Low Hoa Mong passed away on 11th December 1959 at 4 Oakland Avenue, Esther, Surrey, England. He is survived by his wife, 5 sons, 4 daughters and 1 son-in-law.
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| Wedding Photo of Anthony Low Hua Mong and Cecilia Wee Sai Cheng |
Son: Low Song Mong / Thomas Low Song Mong (1903-1920)
Low Song Mong was born in Bangkok on 2nd March 1903 and passed away at Brighton on 8th June 1920. This means that he was 17 years when he passed away. His tomb at the former Bidadari Cemetery also mentions that he is the youngest son of Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and Mary Teo An Phang.
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| Thomas Low Song Mong (source: PictureSG) |
Daughter: Low Soo Mui / Veronica Low Soo Mui
Veronica Low Soo Mui passed away on 21st January 1968 at the age of 76. From the obituary notice, its list the name of her 2 sons; Phillip and Tommy, 2 daughter-in-laws; Margaret and Lily, grandchildren; Phillis, Peter, Marianne and Timothy.
 |
| Veronica Low Soo Mui |
Daughter: Low Soo Choo / Mrs. Chan Chin Kwang (died 1914)
Cecilia Low Soo Choo, wife of Mr. Chan Chin Kwang, 3rd daughter of Mr and Mrs. P.J. Low Gek Seng of Brighton, England, grand-daughter-in-law of Mr and Mrs. Chan Teck Hee, daughter-in-law of Mr and Mrs. Chan Yong Seng of Singapore, passed away after a prolonged illness at 169 Middle Road on 29th June 1914 at the age of 23. She leaves behind her husband, 2 sons and 1 daughter to mourn her loss.
Daughter: Low Soo Keow /Rosa Low Soo Keow /Rosa Chan Chin Kwang (died 1950)
Rosa Low Soo Keow of 54 Waterloo St. passed away at the age of 52 on 21st November 1950. Interment was at Bidadari Cemetery. From an 1948 article, Rosa is mentioned to be Mrs. Chan Chin Kwang. ( It is possible that Henry Chan Chin Kwang married Low Soo Keow after her sister Low Soo Choo passed away ? )
Grand-niece: Nangsao Vani Laohakiarti
Miss Bangkok, 16 year Nangsao Vani Laohakiarti was crowned Miss Siam in a beauty queen contest in 1935. She is the daughter of retired police officer, Capt. Bun Chin . Her grandmother is a sister of Mr. Low Gek Seng, a former well-known resident of Bangkok.
54 Waterloo Street
Constructed in the early 1900s along Waterloo Street, the units were initially built as residences. Number. 54 was home to Philip Julian Low Gek Seng and his family from the 1920s to 1950s.
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| 54-58 Waterloo Street (source: Roots.sg) |
Post-note
With Bidadari Cemetery gone, Philip Julian Low Gek Seng, Mary Teo Ah-Phang, Magdalene Lee Gek Hiok and Low Song Mong are now at rest at the columbarium of Church of St.Teresa in Kampong Bahru.
Untitled. (1906, March 16). Eastern Daily Mail and Straits Morning Tribune, page 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death of Mr. Low Kiok Chiang. (1911, March 22). The Straits Times, page 9.Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1914, July 1). The Singapore Free Press, page 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Untitled. (1926, March 23). The Singapore Free Press, page 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Social and Personal. ( 1923, September 22). The Straits Times, page 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Society and Personal. (1926, July 30). Malaya Tribune, page 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Siam's Beauty Queen. (1935, December 18). Malaya Tribune, page 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
An exile returns for last rest. (1948, February 10). The Straits Times, page 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1950, November 22). The Straits Times, page 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Death. (1968, January 22). The Straits Times, page 22. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Tans-Chan-Low-Chia Connection. Tans of Makepeace Road. (Pdf). Last accessed 24 September 2020
Studio Portrait of a wedding Party. Lee Brothers Studio. National Archives of Singapore.
54-58 Waterloo Street. Roots. (website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Jacob Low Kiok Chiang. History of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The virtual exhibition.(website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
David Wee Cheng Soon. History of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The virtual exhibition.(website). Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [5]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [3]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [1]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Bidadari Cemetery grave stone: close-up [4]. (website). PictureSG. Last accessed 5 Feb 2020
Impressive. Looks like you got pretty much the whole family.
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