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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 February, 2026

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Wee Boon Gan (Bukit Brown)

February 01, 2026

Block 2 Division G

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Bukit Brown913
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decorative tiles162
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Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

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

Newspaper mentions(2025)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions (2017)

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Soh Koon Eng remembered (Bukit Brown)

On 8 December 1941 at around four in the morning, the first bombs were dropped on Singapore. 61 people died and more than 700 were injured. By late January 1942, Singapore was already under constant attack by Japanese planes and an estimated 150-200 people was said to have died each day as direct result of the constant air harassment. Soh Koon Eng, 19 years old It was 27 January 1942, the air-raid siren was already becoming a frightening yet familiar sound and the population under blitz braced itself for further devastation. A young 19 year old girl by the name of Soh Koon Eng was at a friends place in Lorong 18, off Geylang Road when the siren went off. She decided to hurry home to her house at no 28, Lorong 20, despite her friend telling her to wait for the "all-clear". Soh Koon Eng (photo courtesy of Geraldine Soh) Miss Soh Koon Eng did manage to get home and sought shelter under the altar table of their family /ancestral temple together with the rest of the fami...

Tekong Brickworks

While exploring Bukit Brown Block 4 Section C recently, i came across a tomb with headstone that has fallen and bricks in disarray. It caught my eye because one as the word Tekong etched on it. I have seen bricks with Alexandra or A.B.W etched on it, but i actually came across only very few with Tekong in Bukit Brown. Tekong Brick Some information about the Pulo Tekong Bricks A report of the Government Commission that i read on 30 August 1918 mentioned that the important brick fields which supply Singapore are; Alexandra Brickworks (output of 7.5 million per annum) Tekong Brickwords (output of 3 million per annum) Batam Brickworks (output of 3.5 million per annum) The Johore Government is a large buyer of bricks in Singapore. In 1918, it purchase from Alexandra Brickwork 2.5 million of its bricks amounting to 1/3 of its output. With plans for the new railway station and public housing, it was reported that the current output is insufficient to meet future demand. ...

The story behind the iconic fig tree in Bukit Brown- Teo Chye Neo found

Madam Teo Chye Neo who lived in 40-A Onan Road was stab in the face and neck after a quarrel with a 16 year old Hylam Boy by the name of Yeo Tin Keng alias Ah Neok (Little Boy) who was employed as a cook in the deceased 's house at 10am in the morning of 23 June 1933. She died as result of extensive hemorrhage. It was also understood that Teo Chye Neo (who was married to Tan Siang Hee) had been pregnant for 7 months. Teo Chye Neo passed away at the age of 27 and was buried in Bukit Brown on 25 June 1933. Her burial entry is at Block 3 Section D, plot 373. Today we tried to find Teo Chye Neo and her unborn child. We found that a huge fig tree, a landmark in Bukit Brown hill 3 as taken over. Tombkeeper Queenie confirmed that there used to be a tomb there when she was young but even back as young lady, the fig tree with it aerial roots hanging down its branches has slowly enveloped the headstone. The fig tree that has engulfed the tomb of Madam Teo Chye Neo The fig tree w...

Lim Nee Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Lim Nee Soon's wife (Wee Pek Hay) and two of his son's ( Lim Chong Kuo and Lim Chong Pang ) tomb can be found in Bukit Brown, Block 4 Division A. Mr. Lim Nee Soon is not buried there but in Nanking, China. It is however difficult to write a story about Lim Nee Soon family members tomb cluster in Bukit Brown, without first introducing Mr. Lim Nee Soon first. Pineapple King and Patriot Mr. Lim Nee Soon (1879-1936) is the son of Mr Lim Peng Guan and was born in Kampong Glam, Beach Road in 1879. His father died when Lim Nee Soon was only 8 years old and was left in the care of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Teo Lee (Mr Teo Eng Hock's father). Lim Nee Soon received his early education in both St. Joseph Institution and Anglo-Chinese School and therefore proficient in both English and Chinese languages. A Teochew, he started from scratch, working as a shopkeeper assistant at the age of 18 and from there he climbed the rungs by next working for timber merchant Tan Tye a...

Miss Tan Chai Luan (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone reads; Tan Chai Luan Daughter of Tan Chin Tuan and Wee Helene Born 26th July 1928 Died 30th July 1928 No. 53G Block II Baby Tan Chai Luan was only 4 days when she passed away. The marble headstone on the valley of Block 2 Division G stands reminder of their love for their baby daughter. Baby Tan Chai Luan Tan Chin Tuan and Wee Helene went on to have other children; Son: Tan Keng Siong Daughters: Tan Kheng Lian, Tan Kheng Choo Grandchildren: Kenneth Tan Boon Beng, Debbie Tan Siok Hean, Patti Tan Siok Tze, Chew Gek Khim, Chew Gek Hiang, Chew Kwee San, Chuan Ian Campbell, Helene Campbell Parents: Tan Chin Tuan and Wee Helene Tan Chin Tuan was the Assistant Secretary of the Chinese Commercial Bank married Miss Wee Helene, (daughter of Mr. Wee Theam Seng ) on 18 September 1926. Wee Theam Seng was the manager of the Chinese Commercial Bank. When the Chinese Commercial Bank merged with Ho Hong and Overseas Chinese Bank in 1933, to become the Ov...

Funeral of Tay Koh Yat at Bukit Brown

I am fortunate to get a glimpse of rare photos, this time of a gentlemen who was well loved by the people during his lifetime - Mr. Tay Koh Yat (鄭古悅) (1880-1957) , recipient of the Certificate of Honor, Order of the British Empire. This rare photos that i selected for this article were of his funeral procession at Bukit Brown and the photos came to light because it was donated by the family of Tay Soo Choon (one of Tay Koh Yat's son) and made available online via National Library Board (NLB) . For those who are not familiar with Tay Koh Yat, his story is one of rags to riches, eventually becoming the Proprietor of Tay Koh Yat Bus Company. He was also a war hero, a community leader and staunch anti-communist. He was conferred the Order of the British Empire in 1952 for his courage in keeping the bus service in operation despite Communist threats and repeated arsons. Tay Koh Yat passed away at midnight, 29 January 1957 (Chinese New Year eve) at his home at No. 58 Tras Stre...

Kamala Circus - The Great Indian Circus visits Singapore

I heard about the Tai Thean Kew circus from my involvement with Bukit Brown and during one my tours on the Queenstown Heritage Trail , i was told of another Indian circus troupe that existed in the late 1950's and 1960's. Recently, while curating ideas for a Bukit Brown tour on Pioneers of Early Entertainment, i came across a travelling circus troupe by the name of Kamala Circus. Kamala Circus (source: NewspaperSG) Kamala Circus was reputed to be the largest travelling show in the Far East. It boasted over 100 Indian artist and featured acts such as the flying trapeze act, the "Globe of Death" motor cycle act by two young girls, a 30 foot leap by a motorcyclist and the "cat" act. It claims over 300 tons of equipment and animals which include 16 horses, 8 Ceylon baby elephants, an African lion and 2 lionesses, 2 tiger cubs and 3 Indian mountain goats. It came to Singapore in 1947 from India via Ceylon and performed for a month before touring around th...

Choo Lye Huat (Bukit Brown)

Choo Lye Huat of the East Asiatic Co., Ltd. Saigon passed away at 52 Chitty Road, Singapore at the age of 38 on 9 May 1941. He leaves behind his wife, 1 son, 1 daughter, 2 brothers, Choo Seng Huat, Choo Leong Huat, several nephews and nieces and father. Saigon papers please copy. The names of her children are; Son: Choo Chian Eng Daughter: Choo Bee Gno Choo Lye Huat Location of tomb Block 5 Division A, plot 26

Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (Bukit Brown)

In the initial years of Bukit Brown Cemetery, Certificate's of Reservation was made available for purchase to people who are able to reserve this plots in advance . I was fortunate enough to see the Certificate of Reservation of Mr. and Mrs. Koh Chong Keng (issued in 1938 and purchased at $300 for 6 plots) and recently again another example found of the Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (issued in 1925 and purchased at $100 for 2 plots). What is different and interesting is the burial plot lease hold period of 99 years for this certificate starts from 1 January 1908 compared to Koh Chong Keng certificate which starts from 1 January 1922 . There is so much to learn and question i want to ask, but lets leave that for another time. Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (source: Roots.sg) Who is Kam Peng Huat ? Kam Peng Huat / Kum Peng Huat was a merchant with business in saw-mill located at 43 Mill Lane. He had a partnership in the Primrose Aerated Factory ...

Mrs. Khoo Oon Thye nee Madam Aw Ang Kee (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Khoo Oon Thye nee Madam Aw Ang Kee passed away at the age of 69 on 7 May 1941. Listed on her tomb are the names of her children; Son: Khoo Kim Teck Daughters: Khoo Lian Wah, Khoo Sian Loh, Khoo Eng Neo Grandson: Khoo Yew Chye, Khoo Yew Seng, Khoo Yew Kee, Khoo Yew Huat Mrs. Khoo Oon Thye nee Madam Aw Ang Kee Location of tomb Block 5 Division A, plot 27 Mrs. Khoo Oon Thye nee Madam Aw Ang Kee tomb in Bukit Brown

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