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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 September, 2026

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Chua Hoon Mong and Madam Ee Ngan Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 01, 2026

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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

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Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng (Bukit Brown)

The headstone and shoulder was barely discernable and it looks like in a few more years, it would be complete engulfed by the roots and vine of the fig tree. However after some digging we found marble slabs which details who the person that is buried here as well as the name of her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng passed away at the age of 72 at her residence, No. 319 Geylang Road on 5 December 1929. She leaves behind; 1 son; Ho Kim Seng 1 daughter-in-law 1 daughter: Ho Chien Kim 1 son-in-law; Wee Chye Teck 6 grandchildren. Grandsons listed; Ho Thiam Chuan, Ho Thiam Siew, Ho Thiam Swee The only information i could find about Ho Tiang Keng was the he was a committee member of the Udang Association during the time when Wee Thiam Ghee was President. (1914). Tomb of Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng Children of Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng Children of ...

Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot (Bukit Brown)

Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot passed away at the age of 54 on 16 November 1937. The address of her residence was listed as No. 25, Cheng Tuan Street off Tanjong Pagar Road. She leaves behind; 3 sons; Chuan Keng Theng, Chua Keng Han, Chua Keng Siang 2 daughters-in-law, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law; Seet Teck Lim 2 adopted sons; Lee Kim Swee, Lee Keng Leng 3 nephews; Tan Boon Chin, Tan Boon Chye, Chua Kim Hin 6 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. The funeral took place on Sunday, 21 November 1937, 10 am to Bukit Brown. Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot tomb with sun rays and bell motive Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot 25 Cheng Tuan Street connection Kow Soon Chiang passed away at the age of 51 on 30 January 1929 at 8:45 pm at his residence, No. 25 Cheng Tuan Street. He leaves behind his wife, 1 son; Kow Hock Siew, 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law; Chua Keng Teng, 1 daughter-in-law and 1 granddaughter. Mrs. Kow Soon Chiang nee Madam Ne...

Mrs. Gan Cheng Khian nee Madam Teonh Geok Quee (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Gan Cheng Khian nee Teonh Geok Quee passed away at the age of 75 at her residence, No 6-4 Joo Chiat Terrace on Friday, 1 August 1930. On her tomb and burial registrar her name is spelt as Teo Geok Kwee. She leaves behind; 1 daughter-in-law 2 grandsons; Gan Tam Ee and Lim Tiong Keng (spelt as Lim Teong Keng) 2 granddaughters-in-law, 1 granddaughter and 1 great grandson. Mrs. Gan Cheng Khian nee Teonh Geok Quee Grandsons: Gan Tam Ee and Lim Teong Keng Grandson: Gan Tam Ee Gan Tam Ee passed away at the age of 77 on 17 April 1979 leaving behind children; Maurice, Gilbert and Sally, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Cortege leaves from the Chua Chu Kang Christian Cemetery. Location of tomb Block 3 Division A, plot 511 ( Reserved Plot ). Madam Teonh Geok Quee / Teo Geok Quee age in the burial registrar was listed as 74 on August 1930. She is buried beside her sister, Mrs. Ho Tiang Keng nee Teonh Geok Cheng who passed away at the age of 7...

Tan Cheng Kiat (Bukit Brown)

Tan Cheng Kiat ( 陳清吉) is the managing partner of Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd. The companies are importers & exporters of produce, rubber, marine products, general merchants and commission agents. He has also a Bricks and Tile Works at 632, Aljunied Road under the business of Kim Lam Co. Ltd. Kim Lam Co. Ltd in the late 50s and early 60s went into the property business and sold terrace houses in Quemoy Park (off Paya Lebar). You can read about his early years from here . Tan Cheng Kiat (source: 颖川公所 16th anniversary book ) Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd at 38 Telok Ayer Street Fortunately with contributions from the descendants of Tan Cheng Kiat, you can see a picture of him in front of his office at 38 Telok Ayer Street with the Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd signboards, visible. Tan Cheng Kiat in front of his company signs (Hoe Thong) and (Kim Lam Co. Ltd) at 38 Telok Ayer Street (photo courtesy of Jason Tan) Hoe Thong Kim Lam Kim Lam Co. Ltd in 1...

Certificate of Reservation for Bukit Brown grave plots

When Bukit Brown first open for public burials, it was not popular because of its strict rules on the size of the tomb as well as restrictions for not allowing for multiple plots. That changed with the change of rules allowing for the size of the plots to be increased which was approved on 1 September 1922 with the size change from 14 by 8 feet to 20 by 10 feet From then on, i observed also on the Government Gazette, certificate of reservations being issued. Below are a few i managed to gather. Certificate No. 336 Madam Seow Poh Neo (died 23 March 1924) - Block 1 Section, plot 190 and 1/2 of 192) and husband. Chew Hock Seng (died 2 April 1957) - Block 1 Section F, plot 192 and 1/2 of 191. Certificate No. 337 Wee Siang Ho (died 20 March 1924) - Block 1 Section E, plot 4 and 1/2 of 3. An example of a Certificate of Reservation Certificate No: 556 (B.G. 54/38) for Mr. and Mrs. Koh Chong Keng below: Certificate of Reservation at Bukit Brown (photo courtesy of Sandy Elvin...

Chinese seven month offering at Bukit Brown for Child Spirits (Bukit Brown)

The Chinese seventh lunar month or Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) commonly termed as Hungry Ghost Festival often see activities in Bukit Brown. On Saturday morning when i was there i saw clothes for children or child spirits hung in large numbers. There were also lanterns and toys for the children. My assumption is that this group was doing alms by making such offerings in kind for wandering children spirits. However because they didn't clean up after their offerings, it also attracted attention by the authorities managing Bukit Brown. Beside the clothes hanging at the shelter were 2 A4 letters by the National Environment Agency (NEA) seeking those responsible to remove what they have hanged up. Chinese seventh lunar month / Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) / Hungry Ghost Festival offerings for child spirits Chinese seventh lunar month / Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) / Hungry Ghost Festival offerings for child spirits - Milk and candies Chinese seventh lunar month / Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) / Hungry Ghost Fes...

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...

Mrs. Khoo Kim Tee nee Madam Wee Cheng Boey (Bukit Brown)

Madam Wee Cheng Boey passed away at the age of 58 at 10:30 am on Saturday, 5 May 1929 at her residence, No. 64 Emerald Hill Road. She is the wife of the late Mr. Khoo Kim Tee. She leaves behind; Sons: (Khoo) Wee Boon Chwee, Khoo Soon Chye Daughters: Khoo Bee Neo, Khoo Chek Neo Son-in-law: Wee Tiong York Grandsons: Khoo Hock Ho, Khoo Hock Soon, Khoo Hock Ann Granddaughters: Khoo Lian Neo, Khoo Hock Neo, Khoo Eng Neo Mrs. Khoo Kim Tee nee Madam Wee Cheng Boey Children of Mrs. Khoo Kim Tee nee Madam Wee Cheng Boey Family Son: Wee Boon Boon Chwee alias Khoo Boon Chwee The family of the late Mr. Wee Boon Chwee alias Khoo Boon Chwee thank all. This was reported on 11 April 1956. Daughter: Khoo Bee Neo and Son-in-law: Wee Tiong York / Wee Tiong Yeok The wedding took place in Singapore in January 1913 between Wee Tiong Yeok (grandson of the ex-Capitan China, Wee Leong Tan and the son of Mr. Wee Koen Poey, the late Capitan China of Bengkalis) to Miss Khoo Bee Neo (...

Kwa Siew Tee and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Kwa Siew Tee, a Semarang born Chinese was a Municipal Commissioner (an appointment he held till 1949). He was also the General Manager of Overseas Chinese Bank Corporation Limited, Assistant General Manager of The Eastern United Assurance Corporation, Limited and a Member of the Hospital Board. He received a Certificate of Honour in 1951. Kwa Siew Tee passed away at the age of 89 on 20 March 1977. Group photo of the founding of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation in 1932 Kwa Siew Tee is standing behind. (source: National Archives of Singapore) Family Kwa Siew Tee and family (source: National Archives of Singapore) Wife: Madam Wee Yew Neo Madam Wee Yew Neo is the daughter of Wee Theam Seng . She passed away on 14 May1980. She is survived by; 3 sons: Kwa Soon Siew, Kwa Soon Chuan, Kwa Soon Bee 4 daughters: Kwa Geok Neo, Kwa Geok Lan, Kwa Geok Choo, Kwa Geok Eng. Son: Kwa Soon Hock Kwa Soon Hock is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Kwa Siew Tee. He was a sta...

William J.B. Ashby (St. Michael's Church Ipoh Cemetery)

William J.B. Ashby / W.J.B. Ashby was the Secretary of the Kinta Sanitary Board and leader of the Eurasian community in Perak. Born in Penang on 28 June 1871, he was the only child of William Ashby, a European Inspector of the Straits Settlement Police. William J.B. Ashby entered the Perak Government Service in 1891 and retired on 28 June 1926 when holding the post of Secretary, Kinta Sanitary Board. He was awarded the Malayan Certificate of Honour (M.C.H) in 1928 and appointed a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Perak in 1933. He was the Ipoh Club Secretary from 1928-1935 and was the the President of the Ipoh Rotary Club in 1931 and 1932. He served as an unofficial member of the Kinta Sanitary Board from 1931 until his time of death. Mr. Ashby's other activities included Member of the Licensing Board since 1927, Visiting Justice to the Kinta Prisons, committee member of the Prisoners' Aid Society and Ratepayers' Association and President of the Catholic Action Society. He ...

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