Tan Wye Kam (Bukit Brown)

Tan Wye Kam passed away at the age of 39 on 10 November 1933. Listed on his tombstone are the names of his children;

Son: Tan Hwee Hong

Daughters: Tan Sim Neo, Tan Gek Neo

The beautiful decorative tiles on the tomb shoulder was what caught my eye, but behind this beauty reveals a shocking and sad story - Tan Wye Kam committed suicide and died in the most painful manner. 

Tan Wye Kam 

Chinese Clerk's pathetic letter 

The journalist reporting on Tan Wye Kam suicide did not take kindly to his death and did not mince his words -branding him pathetic and unable to bear his long illness. Tan Wye Kam was a Hokkien Chinese Clerk employed at the A.P.C. (not to sure which company that was) and was reported to have died at the age of 38 at the General Hospital on 10 November 1933 from the effects of corrosive poisoning. 

Tan Wye Kam left behind a suicide note which reads; " I am mentally depressed through worries and illness. I have inclination to end this miserable life and if i do no one in this house is to blame. My wife is absolutely innocent for i never hinted my idea to her. She has taken great pains to take care of me during my long illness. Give no trouble to any one in the house for the act is entirely my own".

During the inquest held by Mr. F.G. Bourne, the Singapore Coroner - the verdict of suicide by poisoning was returned. I also gathered more insight that Tan Wye Kam's wife was Mary Lee who was married to him for 9 years. She said that her husband was ill for over 2 months and had been complaining of pains all over his body. He was seeking treatment. On the day of his death, her husband told her he was too ill and instructed her to go to a Dr. Samy for a medical certificate. This was done. About noon, Mary Lee brought food to her husband. When he had finished, she removed the dished and when she returned about 20 minutes later, she found the door of his room locked. Receiving no reply, she shouted to her mother and uncle. The uncle (Tan Poh Whatt) climbed over the partition and unlocked the door. There was a cup lying beside him and 4 letters. The bottle containing poison was also found later. Mary Lee did not suspect at all that her husband would take his own life. He was quite solvent and had over $1,000 in credit and the firm's provident fund.

 

Tan Wye Kam's backstory

I am not able to conclusively find more information about Tan Wye Kam and his family but a 1913 list Tan Wye Kam as a recipient of the Government Scholarship for Commercial Class Cambridge Local Examinations where he was a Raffles Institution student. Tan Wye Kam in 1919 was an Asst. Secretary for the Asiatic Mutual Association. 

Location of tomb

Block 3 Section C, plot 291