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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. I wrote many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the early pioneers buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and birdwatching.

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Showing posts from 2025

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Madam Lim Lye How (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div B Hill 3 Teochew Tomb

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Lim Choon Leng (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div B exhumed Hill 3

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Lim Leong Geok (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A exhumed Hill 4

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Alice Lim (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A Died Young Hill 4 school

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Battle for Singapore Heritage Tours 2025 - Bukit Brown Cemetery

Bukit Brown war

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Aerial View of the Coolie Lines of Bukit Brown Cemetery

February 28, 2025

Aerial view Bukit Brown

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Another aerial view of Ong Sam Leong tomb in Bukit Brown

February 27, 2025

Aerial view Family - Ong Sam Leong

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Superintendent House and Office at Bukit Brown Cemetery

February 27, 2025

Aerial view Bukit Brown

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Josephine Butler (former Bidadari Cemetery)

February 23, 2025

former bidadari cemetery

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By-laws for the Burial Ground for Chinese at Bukit Brown

February 19, 2025

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Certificate of Reservation for Bukit Brown grave plots

February 18, 2025

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Labels

Bukit Brown968
Hill 3320
Hill 1185
Hill 4168
Died Young146
decorative tiles135
Block 3 Div D131
Block 4 Div A117
Hill 298
Block 3 Div B88

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Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

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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(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

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

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Popular Post

Mrs. Lim Choon Leng nee Ong Swee Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Ong Swee Neo passed away at the age of 27 at her residence No. 52 Cornwall Street on 5 May 1927. She is the wife of Lim Choon Leng and sister-in-law of Lim Leong Geok . She leaves a widow and 5 children to mourn her loss. Listed on her tomb are the name of her children; Sons: Lim Teck Kim, Lim Teck Kuan, Lim Teck Lee, Lim Teck Hock Daughter: Lim Cheong Neo I found out the reason recently (8 March 2025) the reason for her dying early. Madam Ong Swee Neo according to their family members passed away due to child birth complication. Family Husband: Lim Choon Leng There was mention of thanks by Mr. Lim Leong Geok whom thank relatives and friends who paid respects to the funeral of the late Mr. Lim Choon Leng (reported on 27 January 1930). Lim Choon Leng passed away at the age of 38 around January 1930. His tomb is located Block 3 Division B, plot 454. The tomb has already been exhumed. Daughter: Lim Cheong Neo alias Baby The engagement is announced betwe...

Khoo Tiong Poh and family (Penang)

Khoo Tiong Poh / Khoo Teong Poh 邱忠波 was the eldest son of Khoo Eng Chye 邱应财 . Born in China, Khoo Tiong Poh came to the Straits Settlement when he was 22 years of age. He went on to be a prominent shipping figure and leader among the Hokkien community. In November 1874, after being in business as partner in chop Teong Ho, Market Street, Khoo Tiong Poh decided to leave and partner with Rajah Wichit of Phya Puket to become senior partner of a prominent shipping company called Bun Hin and Co, based in Malacca Street, with offices in Penang, Hong Kong, Swatow and Amoy. He was also a partner in Ann Bee and Co. (a shipchandlery business). He own steamships such as Cheang Hock Kian, Carisbrooke, Pearl and Petrel. From the Straits Directory, 1881, Khoo Teong Poh was a partner in the Opium and Spirit Farm. source: Singapore Straits Directory 1881 source: Singapore Straits Directory 1881 source: NewspaperSG Death Khoo Tiong Poh died at the age of 62 on...

Phua Kiong Aik and Lee Oh Yee (Bukit Brown)

Phua Kiong Aik was the manager of chop Guan Teck Hin. He was also a Vice President of the Amicable Athletic Association (1936-1937). Phua Kiong Aik passed away at the age of 39 on 12th January 1943. Madam Lee Oh Yee passed away at the age of 31 on 14 August 1936. Listed on their tomb are the names of their children; Sons: Phua Khek Yam, Phua Khek Beng Daughters; Phua Soh Khim, Phua Soh Cheng Sons: Phua Khek Yam and Phua Khek Beng Daughters: Phua Soh Khim and Phua Soh Cheng Family Daughter: Phua Soh Khim / Mrs. Lim Teck Swee Madam Phua Soh Khim married Lim Teck Swee, Proprietor of the Straits Typewriter Agency Singapore and for their children are; Sons: Lim Eng Guan, Lim Eng Soon Daughter: Irene Lim Chop Guan Teck Hin Phua Kiong Aik, the manager of chop Guan Teck Hin of 2 Telok Ayer Street claimed trial on 3 charges of selling rice at higher price than that fixed by the Government in 1939. On 2 March 2603 (1943), there was a notice that the power of attorney dated...

Lim Leong Geok (Bukit Brown)

Lim Leong Geok was the managing partner of the Straits Typewriter Agency and President of the Change Alley Rubber Communication Office. He was also actively involved in the Eng Hoe Kok Association. Lim Leong Geok passed away at his residence, 72 Cornwall Road at 9:30 am at the age of 50 on 14 March 1937. Lim Leong Geok left behind his widow, 5 sons: Lim Teck Swee, Lim Teck Siong, Lim Teck Chye, Lim Teck Whatt, Lim Teck Hin 5 daughters: Mary Lim, Lily Lim, Helen Lim, Lucy Lim, Susie Lim 4 nephews: Lim Teck Kim, Lim Teck Khuan, Lim Teck Lee and Wee Cheng Kow 1 niece: Lim Cheong Neo 1 adopted daughter: Winne Ng. The tomb of Mr. Lim Leong Geok Family Mother: Madam Ong Chai Neo Madam Ong Chai Neo passed away at the age of 55 at her residence No. 52 Cornwall Street on 23 October 1919. Madam Ong Chai Neo is the mother of Messrs. Lim Leong Geok and Lim Choon Leng Son: Lim Teck Swee (1915 - 6 Jan 1978) Lim Teck Swee took over the managing of the Straits Typewr...

The "forgotten" Japanese War Memorial at Mount Pleasant

It started off with a walk at Kopi Sua (at the Mount Pleasant side) and as we were exploring Onraet Road, we came across the tomb keepers who tend to the cemetery there. Our conversation led to them asking me whether i was aware that there was a mass grave for Japanese soldiers nearby Onraet Road? We knew that Mount Pleasant was the scene of an intense skirmish that took place on 14th February 1942 just before Singapore surrendered but I didn't really know much about the stories that took place in the area, especially post-surrender and beyond. The tomb keeper claimed that they have seen it in a forested area between the Onraet Road and the black and white white houses of Mount Pleasant and pointed to us the rough location. We searched the valley of forested area (see red circle in the picture below) for a while but left empty handed without any evidence of any man-made structure that existed that could be symbolic of this so-called mass graves for the fallen Japanese soldiers. Sin...

Battle for Singapore Heritage Tours 2025 - Bukit Brown Cemetery

I lost count of the number of times i did tours in support of the National Heritage Board's annual event to commemorate the anniversary of the Fall of Singapore and a constant reminder never to forget the past and to never take Total Defence Day for granted. It is also an opportunity to remind everyone how important Bukit Brown Cemetery is as space that represents not only the pioneers who died during that period but also as a battlefield site where an intense battle was fought during the final hours before Singapore surrendered. The information and photos of my tour below: Bukit Brown Memorial Tour - Remembering the Victims and Its Heroes by Peter Pak Date: 1 March 2025 Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm (3 hrs) Price: Free with registration (Session is limited to 25 pax) Meeting Point: Platform at Hill 1 via Lorong Halwa into Bukit Brown Cemetery Join Peter Pak on an exploration of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Learn about tragic events, such as the sinking of a ship that killed women and ch...

Alice Lim (Bukit Brown)

The ceramic picture of this lady caught my eye because on uniform top were chinese characters which i later found out to be Chung Hwa. Was she a student or teacher of Chung Hwa Girls' High School ? This remains a mystery for now. In the burial registrar, her name was listed as : Alice Lim. Alice Lim is a Teochew girl who passed away at the age of 18 on 24 January 1937. From this further information, it is more possible that she was a student there. Alice Lim of Chung Hwa Girls' High School (1937) Chung Hwa High School Location of tomb Block 4 Section A, plot 877 Tomb of Alice Lim at Bukit Brown [research on-going] Chung Hwa Girl's High School To give a sense of appearance, i tried searching for photos from Chung Hwa Girl's High School and so far i found a photo from 1950's of a photo from the girls basketball team.

Lim Chong Pang (Bukit Brown)

Lim Chong Pang is the second son of Mr Lim Nee Soon . He received his early education in St. Andrew's School and later St Stephen's College, Hong Kong before returning to Singapore in 1920 and joining his father's firm, Nee Soon and Sons Ltd, one of the leading rubber and miller merchants of the time. Lim Chong Pang Lim Chong Pang Community leader and youngest Justice of Peace Lim Chong Pang had the honour of being one of the youngest Justice of Peace when he took oath before the first Magistrate, J. L. McFall in June 1939. Among the same batch of people sworn in were Mr Lee Kong Chian and Mr Tan Chong Chew, both prominent Chinese leaders. Lim Chong Pang was elected as member of the Board of Licensing Justices in 1940 and also a member of the Rural Board which he served for 10 years. He was the Vice President of St. Andrew's Old Boy Association and committee member at St. Hilda's school. He was a director of the Overseas Assurance Corporation, trustee of ...

Kopi Sua Cemetery left untouched for now

For a number of years i was concerned that with the Mount Pleasant MRT station and Toa Payoh extension plans already announced, this would eventually translate to Kopi Sua Cemetery / Whitley Road Hokkien Cemetery and its surrounding jungles being claimed for this extension and housing. With today's announcement, it seems that this plans have being put on hold for now. The announcement published on the 23 November 2021 titled " New HDB estate with 5,000 flats to be built in Mount Pleasant at Old Police Academy site " gave insight that - "an environmental impact study (EIS) was conducted in January 2019 for the area and its wider surroundings, looking at biodiversity and water quality among others. After the EIS, HDB engaged nature groups to refine plans to minimise potential impacts to the environment. In particular, the proposed road network for future residents was adjusted so the surrounding greenery in Bukit Brown and graves at the adjacent Kopi Sua Cemetery wou...

Cheok Cheng Kee and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Cheok Cheng Kee was a chinese banking pioneer in Singapore. He was a banker with shares in many of the prominent Chinese banks of his time and that included directorship of banks such as the Chinese Commercial Bank, Ho Hong Bank, a shareholder of the Batu Pahat Bank, Limited and eventually of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd (OCBC). Chinese Commercial Bank (established 1912) Cheok Cheng Kee was a director and eventual Chairman of Directors. When the announcement that the big Chinese Banks will eventually amalgamate, the directors of the Chinese Commercial Bank Ltd. in 1932 were Cheok Cheng Kee (Chairman), Lee Kong Chian, S.Q. Wong, Cheong Chwee Phuan, Yap Twee, Lim Keng Lian, S.C. Chan, Lee Chin Tian, Gan Say Hong, Drs. Lim Boon Keng and H.T. Wee. Other past Chairman /co-founders include Lim Nee Soon and Lee Choon Guan . See Boo Ih was a Managing Director and Wee Theam Seng a Manager (1927 timeline) Ho Hong Bank (established 1917) During the 12th annual gen...

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