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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 with the label Block 4 Div A

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Aw Seng Geok (Bukit Brown)

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Phuah Chong Wah (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles marble Youtube Shorts

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Lim Huat Neo (Bukit Brown)

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Madam Lim Yew Neo (Bukit Brown)

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Chan Lian Cheng (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles

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Madam Chua Guek Oh (Bukit Brown)

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Oh Kong Hoon (Bukit Brown)

February 17, 2026

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Madam Ho Leng Hay (Bukit Brown)

September 04, 2025

Block 4 Div A marble

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Serendipity encounter with Chia Hian Neo (daughter of Chia Seng Quee and Chua Kim Neo) at Bukit Brown

August 23, 2025

Block 4 Div A Reconnecting

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Tan Chin Tah (Bukit Brown)

Art Nouveau Banking Block 4 Div A decorative tiles Hill 4 video

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Lim Leong Geok (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A exhumed Hill 4

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Alice Lim (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A Died Young Hill 4 school

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Miss Helen Lee (Bukit Brown)

January 15, 2025

Block 4 Div A Died Young Hill 4

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Madam Teo Cheo Neo (Bukit Brown)

January 15, 2025

Block 4 Div A Hill 4

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Bukit Brown905
Hill 3330
Hill 1186
Died Young179
decorative tiles168
Hill 4161
Block 3 Div D151
Block 4 Div A128
Block 3 Div C109
Block 4 Div C106

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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. Ong Chin Beng nee Madam Mabel Tan (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Ong Chin Beng nee Mabel Tan passed away at the General Hospital after a long spell of typhoid illness. She was 28 and is survived by her husband and 3 children. The cortege left from No B Lorong 37, Geylang for Bukit Brown. Her tomb was overgrown and after some clean up, we can see the following from her tomb; In Loving Memory Mrs. C.B. Ong nee Mabel Tan who died on 19/12/1935 at the age of 28 Chiloren:- Alice Ong, Charlie Ong and Cwennie Ong. What is of course obvious other than the marble headstone is all in English, is the cross on her tomb. Christian tombs in Bukit Brown are rare as although Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery is a cemetery for chinese of various dialect groups but it is not known to be a cemetery of the Christian faith. Christians are usually buried in Bidadari Cemetery. That being said, i have a few tombs with cross on the tomb in Bukit Brown. Another thing you can spot is the headstone is at the back of the rectangle tomb and there is an obvious spell...

Phuah Chong Wah (Bukit Brown)

Phuah Chong Wah passed away at the age of 58 on 13 December 1935 at No 572 Geylang Road (opposite Lorong 31). He is survived by his widow, Son: Phuah Cheng Hoe Daughter. Phuah Guek Im Tomb of Phuah Chong Wah Family Parents: Phuah Kee Soon and Seah Watt Neo Phuah Kee Soon passed away in June 1909. His wife Madam Seah Watt Neo passed away at the age of 72 on 6 November 1928. The children listed on their niche are as follows; Sons: Phuah Chong Bee, Phuah Chong Tin and Phuah Chong Wah Madam Seah Watt Neo passed away at the age of 73 on 6 November 1923 at No. 4 Peck Seah Street. She is the mother of Messrs. Phuah Chong Tin and Phuah Chong Wah. She leaves beside her 2 sons, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren to mourn her loss Phuah Kee Soon and Seah Watt Neo Phuah Chong Bee The information provided on the niche of Phuah Chong Bee is a rare gem and gives context of how many times they had to "move house". It shared that Phuah Chong Bee and his parents, Ph...

Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

The latest discovery of this tiles on a tomb that had already been exhumed left us puzzled, reminding us that much still lies hidden, waiting to be uncovered. Although we have encountered many decorative tiles on tombs, this example stands out as something entirely new to us. Because the tomb was previously exhumed, we cannot date with certainty when the individual passed away—though it may have been in the early 1900s. Our first impression was that the piece resembled Delftware or transparent print tiles, given its thickness and finish. Alongside it, the panel also contained a relief-moulded flower tile of unknown origin, a type we have seen before Rare decorative tiles uncovered ! - Pig and Piglet / Flower and Floral sprig Note: using Claude AI to provide description below The pig and the piglet tile A large-format single figurative azulejo tile (known in Portuguese as "azulejo de figura avulsa") depicting a sow (mother pig) with a piglet, with a wooden fence in the backgr...

Lim Huat Neo (Bukit Brown)

Lim Huat Neo tomb is simple but it draws you in asking more questions. Etched all in English with no death date listed except the plot number 1200, it reads; Lim Huat Neo Elected by Ee Choon Beng Lim Huat Neo - passed away at the age of 38 on 1 January 1941 Lim Huat Neo passed away at the age of 38 (from the burial records) on 1 January 1941. Who was she in relation to Ee Choon Beng is something i am not sure for now. What also can be seen clearly is the mispelling -which was supposed to be erected. This was likely made by the tomb mason. The story may be incomplete, but hopefully Miss or Madam Lim Huat Neo is no longer forgotten. Location of tomb Block 4 Division A, plot 1200

Tan Swee Hoe and family (Batu Pahat)

Sometime back in August 2012, i wrote an article about Tan Swee Hoe who is buried in Bukit Brown . Tan Swee Hoe came to Singapore as a young boy and worked his way up, eventually becoming one of founders of Ho Hong Bank, and later a director of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) after it merged with it. He was also for two terms, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Batu Pahat, shareholder of Ho Aik Steamships. Tan Swee Hoe was a member of the Council of State, Johore and received a title S.M.J (Setia Mahkota Johore) from the government of Johore in 1929 for his contributions. He owned several property in Singapore and Batu Pahat. Tan Swee Hoe In January 2014, i was fortunate to make a trip with like minded friends to Batu Pahat to visit one of the properties he owned as well as a temple he contributed too and finally the grave of his son. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion First on my wishlist was Tan Swee Hoe's mansion on 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Paha...

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...

Chan Lian Cheng (Bukit Brown)

Chan Lian Cheng passed away at the age of 56 on 30 November 1935. Listed on his tomb are the name of his children; Son: Chan Soo Chay Daughter: Chan Geok Lin Chan Lian Cheng Son: Chan Soo Chay Chan Soo Chay married Wee Gek Kee at the Liberty Musical Assoication, Duxton Hill, Singapore in December 1949. Mr. Chan Soo Chay is the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chan Lian Cheng while Miss Wee Gek Kee is the second daughter of Mrs. Wee Soon Chuan. In 1949, Chan Soo Chay was the assistant treasurer of the association (a role he held until 1954). His wife, Madam Wee Gek Kee was a committee member in the same association. Madam Wee Gek Kee and Chan Soo Lay Chan Soo Chay passed away at the age of 80 on 15 December 1994 leaving behind; Wife: Wee Gek Kee Daughter: Adeline Chan Son-in-law: Michael Wong Grandchildren: Rhys Wong Li-Shan, Gail Wong Mei-Shan Mother-in-law: Mrs. Wee Soon Chuan nee Madam Teo Cheng Neo Mrs. Wee Soon Chuan passed away at the age of 91 on 11 Januar...

Aw Seng Geok (Bukit Brown)

Aw Seng Geok passed away at the age of 82. on 26 January 1936. Erected by - Cheong Kiong Boo From the burial registar, his name seem to be written as Ong Seng Geok (but i can't be fully certain). Tomb of Aw Seng Geok -erected by Cheong Kiong Boo I can't find any information about Aw Seng Geok / Ong Seng Geok. In the timeline era, i did find a possible record of a Cheong Kiong Boo and he passed away 3 years after the passing of Aw Seng Geok. However i still do not know what is the relationship between Aw Seng Geok and Cheong Kiong Boo. Cheong Kiong Boo passed away at the age of 47 at his residence, No. 364 Joo Chiat Road at 1:20 am on 13 September 1939. He leaves behind his wife, 4 sons: Cheong Swee Hock, Cheong Tiong Hock, Cheong Yew Hock, Cheong Lai Hock 2 daughters: Cheong Swee Neo, Cheong Lai Neo Cheong Kiong Boo in 1929 was the Hon. Secretary of the Straits Union Foot Club and also Asst. Secretary of the Eng Wah Kok Association (1924) and later its 3rd...

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...

Teo Hoo Lye (Bukit Brown)

Teo Hoo Lye (1853-1933) Teo Hoo Lye (18 Oct 1853- 16 Nov 1933) was born in China and came to Singapore when he was 18. Like many stories of rags to riches of the early pioneers, Teo Hoo Lye worked from ground up, starting as a manual labourer, saving money to open a small grocer business called chop Soon Bee in Rochore Road. At the age of 25 he went to the Natuna and Anambas Islands and got into the copra (extracted for its coconut oil) business which was a valuable commercial product then. This then led him to expand and become a steamship owner (Aing Hong, Flevo, Batavier, Benuit, etc) and he became a consignee of ships for the export of copra, sago, rubber, etc from Natuna to Singapore and also to Sarawak. His company, Teo Hoo Lye S.S. Co. (or Soon Bee Steamship Co.) was eventually liquidated in 1935, for half a million dollars (by his trustees after his death) and 12 steamships such as Willy o' the Wisp, Massima, Huat Chiang among others bought up by Heap Eng Moh Steamsh...

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