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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 April, 2026

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Madam Wee Cheet (Bukit Brown)

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Phua Oen Wee and Tan Guak Sim (Bukit Brown)

benches Block 3 Div D sikh guard

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Bukit Brown910
Hill 3332
Hill 1187
Died Young179
decorative tiles164
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Block 3 Div D151
Block 4 Div A121
Block 3 Div C109
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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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Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik (former Bidadari Christian Cemetery)

A Qantas plane brought home on 31 August 1962 the embalmed body of Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik, a 8 year old Singapore schoolgirl who died in St. Vincent Private Hospital, Sydney on Monday 27 August 1962 with her favourite teddy bear beside her while waiting for a brain operation after being diagnose with brain tumor. Elaine was a student of the Methodist Girls' School, Paya Lebar. At Paya Lebar airport to receive the casket were Elaine's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ng Keam Tet who had flown to Australia with her the previous week. The body was taken to their home at Blandford Drive, Serangoon Garden Estate. The funeral took place at Bidadari after a church service at St. Peter's Church at Tavistock Avenue. Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik headstone at Bidadari (source: NLB )

Dream Clue to 11 Year Mystery - Finding Boey Kai Hong

For 11 year, the relatives of Mr. Boey Kai Hong (a well known Cantonese merchant and son of pawnshop millionaire in Singapore, Mr. Boey Pak Fook) disappeared during the Japanese occupation in March 1942, have been wondering what happened to him. Boey Kai Hong, who was 42 years was taken away by the Japanese from his office at Kwong Wai Siew Hospital on 6 March 1942 when the Japanese military police arrived at 4:30 pm with the intention of taking him for his role of leading the anti-Japanese resistance and supporting the China Relief Fund. He never returned. Dream Clue It was reported in the same article dated 22 December 1953, that a relative had been dreaming for days that he saw Mr. Boey Kai Hong's "spirit" hovering over an embankment outside Outram Road School, Singapore. The school was believed to be a Kempeitai depot during the occupation and they believe he was killed by the Japanese there. Diggers unearthed a few bones and a piece of blood-stained canvas after Bo...

Qing Ming 2026 - with the descendants of Madam Tan Gim Neo

Madam Tan Gim Neo passed away at the age of 65 on 23 September 1924. From the newspaper archives, Madam Tan Gim Neo passed away at 66-3 Race Course Road. She is the mother of Messrs. Lee Guan Chim, Lee Siang Lim, Lee Soon Kim, Lee Tang Seck, Lee Cheng Swee and Lee Ah Kow. She leaves also 3 daughters, 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Name of her children listed on her tomb; 6 sons and 3 daughters and 5 grandson Sons; Lee Guan Chim, Lee Siang Lim, Lee Soon Kim, Lee Tang Seck, Lee Cheng Swee, Lee Ah Kow Daughters; Lee Kwee Neo, Lee Badong, Lee Guat Neo Grandsons; Ba Besar, Ba Tengah, Willie, Tay Sanh The unique names etched on the tomb such as Lee Badong, Ba Besar and Ba Tengah reminded me of the uniquely Baba and Nyonya names. You can see also some war damage on the tomb shoulder reminding us that Bukit Brown was a battlefield before the fall of Singapore. Another important thing i learn from the tomb is that, the husband and children of Madam Tan Gim Neo are ensure which pr...

Mr. and Mrs. Tan Kim Teat (Bukit Brown)

Tan Kim Teat passed away in 1942 leaving behind his children; Sons: Tan Kay Hoe, Tan Tommy Daughters: Tan Boo Yoke, Tan Bong Soo. What is interesting about his tomb located in Hill 1 ( not able to find his plot number) is the spelling mistakes etched on the marble. "Deerly Regrettld by his" In loving Memory of Tan Kim Teat Deerly Regrettld by his Sons Tan Kay Hoe Tan Tommy Daughters Tan Boo Yoke Tang Bong Soo Tan Kim Teat What is equally interesting is that within 2 weeks, we found the tomb of his wife while exploring another area in Bukit Brown (namely Hill 3 Section A). Her marble slab below the altar table like many others was broken and upon cleaning, was able to make out the following: In loving Memory of Yong Chiang Neo Husband - Tan Kim Teat Sons: Tan Kay Hoe & Tan Tommy Daughters: Tan Boo Yoke, Tan Bong Soo 19th January 1930 Yong Chiang Neo Location of tomb I am not able to find the plot number for Mr. Tan Kim Teat who is buried in Hill 1 Division E ...

Archibald Maclean (former Bidadari Cemetery)

Archibald Maclean passed away on 10 January 1919. His wife, Talap Maclean passed away on 23 August 1957 at the age of 89. Both were said to be born in Bangkok. Bankrupt in 2 countries In the court of foreign causes at Bangkok on 10 June 1909, the application for Mr. Archibald Macleau to be declared bankrupt in Thailand. The article went on to mention that he was in the business of import and general business in Singapore and was recently declared a bankrupt in the Straits Settlement. Archibald Macleau is said to owe the Hongkong Bank (50,000 tes), Siam Commercial Bank and other creditors (200,000 tes). Before leaving Bangkok, he met his creditors but nothing came out that. His remaining mortgaged property in Thailand was sold by the Siam Commercial Bank whom he owed 230,000 tes. Even after the sale, bank debts still amounted to 150,000 tes. In March 1911, Archibald Maclean applied for his discharged (The court has taken note that he continued to trade after even knowing he w...

Lim Keng Seng (Bukit Brown)

Lim Keng Seng passed away at the age of 57 at No. 7 Lorong 19, Geylang Singapore on 24 September 1924. He leaves behind; 2 sons; Messers Lim Swee Choe, Lim Swee Hong alias Oon E. Seah 3 daughters 2 sons-in-law; Messrs. Seet Teng Leong and Koh Tiong Whye and 15 grandchildren. Penang and F.M.S papers please copy. From the tomb of Lim Keng Seng, i can make out the following; Born: 8 May 1868 Died: 24 September 1924 Sons: Lim Swee Choe, Lim Swee Hong Daughters; Lim Chwee Neo, Lim Oon Neo, Lim Boo Lat, Lim Marie Grandsons: Lim Mong Tak, Lim Bock Yean Lim Keng Seng Lim Keng Seng tomb in Bukit Brown Location of tomb Block 1 Division E, plot 88

Chia Hood Theam and Madam Yan Lan Neo tombstone

The below is a close-up of an entry from the notebook of Mr. Chia Keng Tye (son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam ) dated 15 June 1931. The entry that perk my interest was the one i highlighted: 15.6.31 2 Graves completed at Bukit Brown for C.H.T. & Y.L.N Wee Geok $1050. Entry from Notebook of Chia Keng Tye (source: Down Memory Lane by Noreen Chan) A number of things come to mind that i could possibly decipher from the entry. The tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam were constructed before their deaths. Chia Hood Theam (C.H.T) passed away in 10 July 1938 while his wife Madam Yeo Lan Neo (Y.L.N) passed away on 21 July 1949. This entry was dated 1931. This means that the plot was purchased in advanced (probably via reservation) and tomb was constructed way before the death of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam. Construction cost and tomb mason The second nugg...

Mosquito Bus with Tanjong Pagar route sign (Images from the Past)

Found this interesting picture dated 1929 and it shows a close-up of an early local transportation that was popular during that time period - a Mosquito bus. The photo was originally in black and white and faded. I used Gemini and prompted it to sharpen the picture and colorise it without changing anything else. Without commenting on the color of the mosquito bus itself (which could be wrong), there are still other layers of potential information from the photo with the most obvious one- Tanjong Pagar and the license plate of the vehicle (S4267) and the owner ? (H.W. Teck). In the background is another smaller vehicle and in the background is a church steeple - possibly Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (today CHJIMES). Tanjong Pagar denotes the route of this bus service - Tanjong Pagar - Geylang. Just behind the Mosquito bus (which is fully laden with passengers), i can make out a Dispensary but not its name. From old maps, i will make an educated guess that the road t...

Madam Yeo Hian Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Yeo Hian Neo passed away at the age of 54 on 22 January 1938. Son: Tan Hock Liat Daughter: Tan Whay Poh Grandson: Tan Kim Cheng Granddaughter: Tan Khim Neo, Tan Geok Neo Mrs. Tan Tiang Ann nee Yeo Hean Neo passed away at her residence, No. 98, Lorong L. Teluk Kurau at the age of 55. She left behind her one son, Tan Hock Liat, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law, Yeo Tian Seng, 1 daughter-in-law and 7 grandchildren Mrs. Tan Tiang Ann nee Yeo Hean Neo Son: Tan Hock Liat / Tan Hock Liat, Simon / Simon Tan Hock Liat Tan Hock Liat, Simon passed away at the age of 68 on 7 March 1972. He leaves behind his wife, Loh Siew Kim, 2 sons, 3 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law and 4 grandchildren. The cortege left from 9 Lorong N, Teluk Kurau for Holy Family Church and later Chua Chu Kang Catholic Cemetery. Mary Christine Loh Siew Kim passed away at the age of 78 on 13 December 1984 Sons: Tan Kim Cheng, Tan Kim Chwee, Lawrence Daughters-in-law: Geok Imm, Sor Poh, Molly Dau...

Chan Pek Eng alias Yew Hai (Bukit Brown)

The broken marble stone reads in loving memory of Chan Pek Eng (Yew Hai). To me that is already interesting the fact that her alias is etched out clearly. This is similar to the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam , where on the tomb of Mrs. Chia Hood Theam nee Madam Yeo Lan Neo, her alias Nyonya Tawee was also clearly etched. A tree probably did great damage to the tomb of Madam Chan Pek Eng but after piecing the marble pieces together, i am able to find out that she died on 21 June 1934. She was born on 3 December 1873. Her age was listed as 61. Location of tomb Block 3 Section C, plot 42

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