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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 decorative tiles

Posts

Chew Ann Jian and Madam Lim Siang Neo (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H decorative tiles Youtube Shorts

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Neo Lian Eng (Bukit Brown)

September 20, 2026

block 2 Division H decorative tiles Fig Tree

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

August 30, 2026

Block 3 Div A decorative tiles Reserved Plot

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

August 30, 2026

Block 3 Div A decorative tiles Reserved Plot

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Mrs. Tan Wan Liat nee Madam Poey Geok Im (Bukit Brown)

August 30, 2026

Block 3 Div A decorative tiles Japanese Koki Calender marble

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Lee Seng Joon (Lao Sua)

decorative tiles Fig Tree Lao Sua

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Tay Geok Hong (Bukit Brown)

Block 2 Division G decorative tiles

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Chua Hoo Long (Bukit Brown)

block 2 Division H decorative tiles marble Youtube Shorts

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Mr. and Mrs. Chua Ah Siah (Bukit Brown)

Block 2 Division G Block 3 Div A decorative tiles Teochew Tomb

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Lee Chim Sian (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles

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Mrs. Poh Ee Teck nee Madam Tan Cheng Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles

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Phuah Chong Wah (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles marble Youtube Shorts

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Chan Lian Cheng (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles

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Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

Art Nouveau decorative tiles

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Lim Keng Seng (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division E decorative tiles

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Labels

Bukit Brown888
Hill 3328
Died Young198
Hill 1183
decorative tiles180
Block 3 Div D152
Hill 4152
Block 4 Div A142
Block 3 Div C129
Block 4 Div C107

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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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Popular Post

Tan Huck Wan (Bukit Brown)

This is a sad and tragic story that was shared to me about Mr. Tan Huck Wan via the Bukit Brown facebook and inspired me to write further. Mr. Tan Huck Wan (1916-1944) is the the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chong Chew and grandson of Mr Tan Kheam Hock . Mr Tan Chong Chew is the main labour contractor for the Singapore Harbour Board. Tan Huck Wan studied in Anglo Chinese School and was gifted in sports. He played cricket, hockey and football for the SCRC and YMCA during 1935-1941. Tan Huck Wan and Madam Lim Chin Choo $100,000 worth of Jewels Mr. Tan Huck Wan married Miss Lim Chin Choo (third daughter of Mrs. Lim Mah Seang from Penang) in 17 Sept 1939 in a very traditional but grand affair. During the wedding procession, they were escorted by police guards as the bride was wearing $100,000 worth of jewelry with the bridal clothing specially imported from Penang. The band of the 2nd Battalion, Loyal Regiment accompanied the procession and a ronggeng party capped the cele...

Wong Chin Yoke - a war hero (Bukit Brown)

Today, 15 February 2012 is the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore and this article is timely. Mr Wong Chin Yoke ( Wong Chin Yok) is buried in Hill 4 Division A where the tall Sikh guards are located, has an interesting story alerted to me recently by a posting on facebook by Raymond Goh that he was a war hero, and that got me researching further. Wong Chin Yoke King's Police Medal A detective constable for many years, rising up the ladder from a grade 5 detective in 1921 to the rank of Inspector in 1928. In 1938, he was awarded the King's Police Medal (the highest honour for policeman) for his role in suppression of subversive organisations in the Special Branch (Political Intelligence). He played a huge role in the clean-up of communist in 1929 and 1933. The previous year, 1937, he was one of the recipients of the Coronation Medal. Wong Chin Yoke receiving the King's Police Medal in 1938 A dent in his record In 1924, he accidentally sho...

Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone with lead etching was broken from the top right down to bottom in 2 parts. Fortunately we are still able to see who is buried there after some clean-up. In Loving Remembrance of Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo Age 5 Years Eldest Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Tan Teng Leong On Sunday the 29 April 1928 (10 Day of the 3rd Chinese Moon) Chi Cik alias Miss Tan Hood Neo was only 5 years old when she passed away. In the burial entry her age was listed as only 3 years old. Chi Chik alias Tan Hood Neo It is interesting to note that the time it took to built the tomb was slightly more than a month as the below headstone clearly stated it was erected on 10 June 1928. This gives a good indication of possibly of how it needs to construct a tomb after one pass away. Family Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Tan Teng Leong The engagement was announced on 7 March 1922 of Mr. Tan Teng Leong (eldest son of the late Mr. Tan Chin Seng and Clerk of The Asiatic Petroleum Co, (SS) Ltd...

Yeo Bian Chuan (Bukit Brown)

Yeo Bian Chuan was born in Rhio (Riau island of Indonesia which was under Netherlands East Indies control). He came at a very young age to Singapore and was educated in Singapore. He was a produce broker and the senior partner of Messrs. Yeo Bian Chuan and Co, 22-A Change Alley. After residing in the Straits Settlement for the past 52 years, he was naturalised as a British subject in 1921. Yeo Bian Chuan (source: NewspaperSG) Singapore Mutiny On 15 February 1915, Indian soldiers of the 5th Madras Light Infantry (Indian Army or sepoys) revolted, killing more than 40 British officers, residents and locals. The mutiny came to be known as the "Singapore Mutiny". An estimated 800 mutineers were involved, killing more than 40 British officers, residents and locals. It started with a dangerous cocktail of propaganda, poor leadership and misinformation from various parties (including a German prisoner) leading to this mutiny. It was finally quelled with assistance of Br...

Tan Chong Chew and family (Bukit Brown)

Tan Chong Chew (1894-1969) was one of the sons of Tan Kheam Hock . Tan Chong Chew studied in Raffles Institution before completing his studies in England where he completed his studies with third class honors. He returned to Singapore where he was first attached to the Wharf Accounts Department under Mr. W.S. Barett and afterwards to the Tonnage Department under Mr. H.B. Leicester where he gained valuable insight into the wharf work. Up to 1940, Tan Chong Chew has served under 3 Chairman, Sir John Nicholson, then Mr. S.A. Lane and Mr. G.W.A. Trimmer. Tan Chong Chew was the manager of the Eastern Mining and Rubber Company and Head of the Tanjong Pagar Labour Company, which is a contractor to the Singapore Harbour Board, that manages 2,000 men to move 10,000 tons of coal and cargo a day ( his father, Tan Kheam Hock, originally secured the labour contract for Tanjong Pagar Docks). He was appointed Justice of Peace in 1939. Tan Chong Chew was a recipient of a certificate b...

Mrs. Chia Toon Whatt nee Madam Giam Chye Neo (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone is in danger of breaking with the fig tree growing behind it slowly pushing the headstone further down. Beneath the altar table, the marble stone after some cleaning reads; In remembrance of Madam Giam Chye Neo beloved wife of Mr. Chia Toon Whatt. Madam Giam Chye Neo passed away at the age of 39 on 17 December 1927. The names of their children; Son : Chia Kim Onn Daughter: Chia Bi Neo, Chia Chwee Neo, Chia Chin Neo, Chia Kim Neo, Chia Quek Neo, Chia ? (some names i can't make out) Mrs. Chia Toon Whatt nee Madam Giam Chye Neo Husband: Chia Toon Whatt / Chia Toon Watt Mr. Chia Toon Whatt passed away at the age of 62 at his residence, 554 Sims Avenue (off Lorong 37, Gayland Road) Singapore on Sunday, 7 April 1940. He left behind; 8 daughters, 4 sons-in-law: Messrs. Tan Cheok Chua, Tan Bah Chee, Liow Tiow Kee and Lim Yew Hock, 1 future son-in-law: Mr. Tan Cheok Sua and 17 grandchildren. He was buried in Bidadari Ceme...

Neo Lian Eng (Bukit Brown)

The fig has engulfed the marble headstone of Madam Neo Lian Eng to a state that it makes it difficult to remove it anymore. In another couple of years, her tombstone will be completely gone. We cut what we can of its strangling vines so that we document her tomb for one last time. This may be the last of her memory. Madam Neo Liang Eng passed away on 3 December 1927 at the age of 43. Madam Neo Lian Neo Location of tomb Block 2 Division H, plot 366 Tomb of Madam Neo Lian Neo (photo taken on 19 September 2026)

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...

Chew Ann Jian and Madam Lim Siang Neo (Bukit Brown)

Chew Ann Jian passed away away at the age of 64 on 26 October 1927. His wife, Madam Lim Siang Neo passed away at the age of 62 on 11 August 1930. The names of their children; Sons: Chew Hock Leng, Chew Puey Eng Daughter: Chew Poh Neo Grandsons: Chew Ban Cheng, Chew Ban Kim, Robert Chew, Chew Ban Keng Granddaughters: Chew Guek Neo, Chew Soon Neo Chew Ann Jian and Madam Lim Siang Neo From the newspaper archives, Mr. Chew Ann Jian passed away at 384 Gaylang Road at 5pm on Wednesday 26 October 1927. He is the father of Chew Hock Leng and Chew Puey Eng. He leaves behind his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 1 daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Java papers please copy. Son: Chew Hock Leng Madam Lim Chye Neo (beloved wife of Mr. Chew Hock Leng) passed away at the age of 36 at 1:20pm on Saturday, 23 July 1927 at 384 Gaylang Road. She leaves behind her husband, Madam Ong Chew Kee (maybe her mother), 1 son and daughter (adopted). She is buried in Bukit Brown. Mr. Chew Hoc...

Unique Ceramic Floor Tile

I discovered this unique ceramic floor tile or also known as encaustic cement floor tile while helping to upright a severely damaged tomb. The headstone was all in chinese and with Raymond Goh help, he help identify that it is possibly the tomb of Mr. Lim Thow Koon who passed away at the age of 59 and was buried in Bukit Brown on 7 July 1930. The location of the tomb is Block 3 Section A, plot 295. At the moment, i have very little information about the person buried there. Etched on this encaustic cement floor tile is the characters CA but also importantly, it has chinese characters too ! The ones i encountered previously were characters such as KSH and TCT , This is one the rare ones i seen so far with chinese characters. Such tiles form an important part of the material culture of Singapore, as such floor tiles can been found not only in Bukit Brown cemetery but also in heritage buildings around Singapore. However, we do not often know who were the actual makers of this ...

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