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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

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

Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers (former Bidadari Cemetery)

George Edward Noel Oehlers / George E N Oehlers / Geno Oehlers (1 April 1908- 27 October 1968) was educated at St. Andrew's School and Raffles Institution, George Edward Noel Oehlers was called to the Bar (Gray's Inn) in 1931 and to the Singapore Bar in March 1932. He practiced as advocate and solicitor in Singapore until he was appointed Speaker designate of Singapore Legislative Assembly in December 1954. He was appointed First Speaker of the Singapore Legislative Assembly in 1 June 1960. Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers was knighted in 1958 making him the first Eurasian in Singapore to be knighted. Other positions he held throughout his career included being the President of the Industrial Arbitration Court (1965) and Chairman of the Public Utilities Board , Singapore.  Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers passed away due  at his residence in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur at the age of 60 on 27 October 1968 in Kuala Lumpur age 60 and was cremated on 28 Oc

Wee Thiam Kee and family (Bukit Brown)

Wee Thiam Kee, Wee Thiam Siew and Wee Thiam Leong were partners in the business of Cigars, Cigarettes and Tobacco Dealers under the firm name Ban Leong and Company at 229, Rochore Road. On July 1, 1930, Wee Thiam Kee left this partnership to form his own company under the company name Chop Hong Leong. His two brothers, Wee Thiam Siew and Wee Thiam Leong continued the partnership under the name of Ban Leong and Company. There is not much information about his career, but because he passed away intestate (i.e, without a will) in 1939, it lead to a probate suit which gave me more information about him, his wife and three secondary wives. His first wife was Madam Ang Boey Neo and secondary wives are Khoo Ah Kow, Tan Beng Choo and Koh Cheng Keow. Wee Thiam Kee Secondary wives legal widows In a court case that span several days, the defendant, Madam Ang Boey Neo (alias Ang Meow Neo) contended that the 3 women were just mistresses and not lawful widows. Wee Thiam Siew (broth

A kidnap bid foiled in the Shaw family - Bukit Brown connection

This week's news was abuzz with first, the passing of Sir Run Run Shaw (CBE, GBM), the legendary movie mogul. He died on January 7, 2014, aged 107. He is survived by 2 sons ( Shaw Vee Meng, Shaw Vee Chung, Harold ), 2 daughters (Dorothy Shaw, Violet Shaw ) , 2 daughter-in-laws ( Josephine Kho, Diana Wee) and many grand and great grandchildren. His wife was Lady Lily Shaw (deceased ) and years after his first wife passing married Madam Mona Fong. The second news that captivated many Singaporean's was the kidnap attempt of a 79 year old woman, Madam Eng Lai Poh. She is the mother of Mr Lim Hock Chee, Chief Executive of public listed company Sheng Siong, a supermarket chain. The ransom sought by the kidnappers was $20 million. Mr. Lim Hock Chee called the police who helped tracked down the kidnappers and caught the suspects.  Bukit Brown connection to Shaw and kidnapping  You may be wondering how this week's two story is related to Bukit Brown? Rewind back to October

Choa Joon Hean and family (Bukit Brown)

In Hill 2, now forever scarred by the 8 lane highway, the tomb of Mrs. Choa Joon Hean ( nee Cheong Swat Leh ) is a unique tomb which is guarded or flanked by a pair of angels which looks like angels you would likely find in a Christian Cemetery rather than a Chinese one. Both husband and wife are buried side by side. The name Choa Joon Hean may not ring a bell to everyone, but the name Kim Keat might. Do read on if you are keen to find out more. Mrs Choa Joo Hean  Close up of the Angel  Mr. Choa Joon Hean worked for many years with the Overseas Assurance Corporation. He was the son of Choa Kim Keat. Choa Joo Hean was also the Patron of the The Lunar Athletic and Musical Party. Mr. Choa Joon Hean passed away at age of 51 at 149 Neil Road on September 14, 1945. He is survived by: Sons: Choa Watt Chiang (Eric), Choa Watt Seng (Walter), Daughters: Choa Kwee Neo (Jean), Choa Kim Neo (Nancy) Grandson: Choa Choon Eng (Victor) Choa Joon Hean, President of the Lunar Athletic 

Tan Pheck Hong nee Mrs. Wee Aik Leng and family (Kopi Sua)

Whitley Cemetery was know "colloquially" as Kopi Sua, but it still a large cemetery system with parts of it cut of due to the construction of the Pan Island Expressway. While exploring the section of Kopi Sua area that was cut of by the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) (the entrance to this section of cemetery complex is via the long staircase just before St.Joseph Institution ), we rediscovered the tomb of Madam Tan Pheck Hong. Madam Tan Pheck Hong was the wife of Mr. Wee Aik Leng. Wee Ai Leng is a son of Wee Thiam Siew (well know millionaire and hotelier). Listed the name of her sons: Wee Choo Keng, Wee Choo Boo, Wee Choo Chuan , Wee Choo Chye, Wee Choo Tiong, Wee Wee Choo Yong. daughter: Wee May Lee, Wee May Hoon. Madam Tan Pheck Hong nee Mrs. Wee Aik Leng Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.  How dark is life around us,  we missed her so much still,  we missed her fond and earnest care,  what is home without her there. Very much missed by husband, children, son