Another aerial view of Ong Sam Leong tomb in Bukit Brown

Thanks to Beng Tang who alerted me to the aerial photograph of the largest tomb in Bukit Brown - the tomb of Mr. Ong Sam Leong and Madam Yeo Yean Neo taken by the British Royal Ai Force.

Aerial photograph of the tomb of  Ong Sam Leong (source: NAS)

Ong Sam Leong (王三龙) (1857 -1918) was the owner of Sam Leong and Company that provided and supplied manpower (indentured labourers) for the mining of phosphate to Christmas Island and large business in timber, oil, rubber estates, rubber treating and rubber estates supplies, owner of substantial land and properties and head of the firm Ong Sam Leong Co. carrying on business in South Canal Road and North Bridge Road. He even owned a brick works in Batam known as the Batam Brick Works. Among the Chinese community he was influential as well, being once the head of the Ban Chye Hoe Club. Even up to 1967, a Straits Time article dated March 27, 1967 mentions that Ong Sam Leong's wealth existed with a government announcement of urban renewal in Rochor area in which Sam Leong's estate was affected. I wonder if any of his estate  and wealth still exist today among his grand or great grand children? 

Ong Sam Leong passed away at on 7 February 1918 in his residence at Bukit Rose, located at Bukit Timah Road at the age of 60. The cause of death was heart failure. Ong Sam Leong is survived by his widow,  1 daughter (Ong Boey Neo), 2 sons (Ong Boon Tat, Ong Peng Hock), and 2 grandson to mourn his loss. He is buried what was known at that time as the Seh Ong Private Cemetery, Bukit Timah Road.

Ong Sam Leong (source: National Archives of Australia)

Ong Sam Leong's cluster of tomb remains beautiful today but what has changed is of course very clear. The photos below is evidence of how the flora and fauna has claim back many parts of Bukit Brown.

Tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Ong Sam Leong in Bukit Brown - 2025

Tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Ong Sam Leong in Bukit Brown - 2025

Tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Ong Sam Leong in Bukit Brown - 2025