Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe (Bukit Brown)

It was a simple marble headstone all in English. After cleaning it a bit, i manage to read the details:

No. 259 Sect D Block 5

In loving Memory of 

Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe

Died 6th April 2603

Age 13 years

Adopted son: Madam Tan Tau Neo

&

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wee Chye Huat

From this little details, it provides already rich insights. Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe who died young has both adopted and biological parents listed in his tomb (with the adopted mother name taking precedence). His name which carries both surnames; Kow Wee also reflects the hierarchy (a Wee adopted by the Kow). The year listed on the tomb (6th April 2603) adopts the Japanese Koki Calendar during Japanese occupied Singapore. In short, Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe passed away in 1943. 

Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe

[Still researching on possible connections]

Wee Chye Huat is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wee Kay Chiang
In 1927, Mrs. Yeo Cheow Hin (nee Wee Swee Hoon Neo) passed away on the 6th November 1927 at No. 41 Blair Road. She is the elder daughter of the late Mr. Wee Kay Chiang and sister of Mr. Wee Chye Huat and Wee Loh Siew. 

Wee Chye Huat (Chief Clerk, Town Cleansing Department). In 1930, Mr and Mrs. Wee Chye Huat of 41 Blair Road announced the birth of a daughter (Malacca papers please copy)

Wee Chye Huat married the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chin Lock and grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Kim Watt 
The engagement is announced and the marriage will take place on 3 February 1928 between Mr. Wee Chye Huat (eldest son of the late Mr. Wee Kay Chiang and Mrs. Wee Kay Chiang of No. 41 Blair Road) and Miss Tan Ghin Lian (Baby Tan) (2nd daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chin Lock of No. 10, Killiney Road.

In 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Wee Chye Huat and family wish to thank all relatives and friends who attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Tan Kim Watt nee Madam Goh Swee Im.  Mrs. Tan Kim Watt nee Madam Goh Swee Im passed away at the age of 81at her grandson-in-law, Mr. Wee Chye Huat's residence, No. 138, Bukit Timah Road on 20 April 2603. 

Wee Chye Huat and Madam Tan Tau Neo connection
The engagement is announced on May 1946 between Koh Tiong Tat (third son of Madam Wee Keng Neo and the late Mr. Koh Seck Geok) and Lily Tan Sai Suan (youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chin Lock and adopted daughter of Madam Tan Tau Neo).

Madam Tan Tau Neo is mentioned here again. This means she is not only the adopted mother of Richard Kow Wee Boon Hoe but also of Lily Tan Sai Suan (sister of Mrs. Wee Chye Huat). 

Is Madam Tan Tau Neo the sister of Tan Chin Lock ? That is a possibility. 

References

Deaths.(1927, November 7). Malaya Tribune, page 8

Obituary. (1930, May 31). Malaya Tribune, page 8 

Advertisments. (1943,April 23). Syonan Shimbun, page 2 

Untitled. (1946, May 25). The Straits Times, page 4

Tan Chin Lock 陳振祿. (website)Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录

A simple tomb yet rich in heritage and something i rarely see while exploring.