Photo from the tomb of Madam Chia Swee Peck (Bukit Brown in the past)

Sometimes i am fortunate to come across old photos of Bukit Brown. This particular photo taken at the tomb of Mrs. Lim Koh Seng nee Madam Chia Swee Peck with offerings placed for her by her children and grandchildren gives insights to the landscape of Bukit Brown probably during the 1930s (Madam Chia Swee Peck passed away on 22 August 1935 so the photo has to be dated just after that). 

Tomb of Madam Chia Swee Peck
(photo credit: Geoffrey Lim -son of Lim Teck Guan and grandson of Lim Siew Long) 

Top of Hill3 visible 

From the black and white photo above, i gathered a number of things:

1. How clear and visible Bukit Brown Hill 3 is.

2. Ornamental shrubs such as Crotons seem to be the shrub of choice back then

3. The men in the photos, although still following traditional filial piety customs and offerings, are wearing clothing reflecting the colonial rule of Singapore back then with their Tropical Helmets or French-Style Pith Helmet usually worn by Europeans back then.  

Other post that shows Bukit Brown and its surrounding area in the past that i have documented.

Old Photos of Bukit Brown. (Rojak Librarian). posted on 9 February 2014

Bukit Brown in 1973 (from the show Ring of Fury). (Rojak Librarian). posted on 7 May 2020

Bukit Brown Cemetery temple - a hope for its resurrection. (Rojak Librarian). posted on 2 July 2021

Aerial view of Bukit Briwn in 1948 - roundabout. (Rojak Librarian). posted on 20 July 2014

Lim Dwan Inn and Yeo Ai Lin (Lao Sua). (Rojak Librarian). posted on 4 September 2021

Ng Whoey (Lao Sua). (Rojak Librarian), posted on 29 August 2017

Ho Soon Neo (Lao Sua). (Rojak Librarian), posted on 24 July 2018

About Mrs. Lim Koh Seng nee Madam Chia Swee Peck Neo 

Madam Chia Swee Peck Neo passed away at the age of 79 on 22 August 1935.

The name of the children listed on her tomb are;

Son: Lim Siew Hock, Lim Siew San, Lim Siew Long, Lim Teng Chew, Lim Siew Teng, Lim Siew Teck 
Daughters: Lim Chye Wee, Lim Geok Ann 

Grandsons: Robert Lim, Lim Cheng Chwee, Lim Yew Wee. Lim Yew Boon, Lim Yew Liang , Henry Lim. Lim Chwee Hoei, Lim ? Chwee, Lim Teck Guan, Billy Lim, Herbert Lim, Benson Lim, Lim Kim Swee, 

Granddaughters: Mary Lim, Annie Lim, Baby Lim, Lim Kwee Neo, Lim Choo Neo, Lim Chit Neo, Lim Beng Neo, Lim Chin Neo, Alice Lim, Daisy Lim, Ethel Lim, Freda Lim, Girlie Lim, Irene Lim, Jenny Lim, Annie Lim Lim Yan Neo, Lim Pek Neo, Lim Hoon Neo  

(click for more detailed write-up of Madam Chia Swee Peck Neo). 

Tomb of Mrs. Lim Koh Seng nee Madam Chia Swee Pek Neo 

Credit line

Black and white photo from Geoffrey Lim with assistance from Hercules Lim 

Location of tomb 

Block 3 Section D, plot 204