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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

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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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Neo Chiew and family (Bukit Brown)

February 01, 2026

Block 3 Div D decorative tiles

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Madam Ng Wai Sim (Bukit Brown)

January 31, 2026

Block 4 Div C decorative tiles

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Mrs. Tok Hong Kiat nee Madam Tan Chin Neo (Bukit Brown)

January 18, 2026

Block 4 Div C decorative tiles WWII Youtube Shorts

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Madam Tay Kim Noi (Bukit Brown)

January 12, 2026

Block 2 Division F decorative tiles Died Young Teochew Tomb

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Labels

Bukit Brown896
Hill 3330
Died Young191
Hill 1185
decorative tiles173
Hill 4152
Block 3 Div D151
Block 4 Div A142
Block 3 Div C109
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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Madam Sim Ah Tah (Kopi Sua)

Madam Sim Ah Tah passed away at the age of 70 on 9:30 am, 7 July 1949 at No. 761, North Bridge Road leaving behind 3 sons, Messrs. Chua Ah Kim (proprietor of Chua Kim Hee, Electric Co.), Chua Kim Seng, Chua Kim Suan, 3 daughters-in-law and several grandchildren. From Madam Sim Ah Tah tomb, Sons: Chua Kim Hee, Chua Kim Seng, Chua Kim Suan Grandsons: Chua Hai Chwee, Chua Hai Hee, Chua Hai Bin, Chua Hai Hoe, Chua Hai Kow Son: Chua Kim Hee / Chua Ah Kim Chua Kim Hee's company - Chua Kim Hee Electric Co., was the company that provided the Electric, Gas & Sanitation for the The New 7-Storey Hotel & Restaurant at Rochore Road which had its grand opening on 26 April 1953. (That building no longer exist). Chua Kim Hee Electric Co., was located at 761 North Bridge Road and was said to have more than 20 years of experience in this field. The company encounter financial issues and on 28 July 1960 there was an article of Chua Ah Kim trading as Chua Kim Hee Elec...

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...

Unique tomb with Immortals (Bukit Brown)

I have walked and combed Hill 2 in the vicinity of See Tiong Wah's tomb many times. In this particular trip, i explored the tombs downhill towards the direction of the stream. A tomb which was exhumed sometime ago caught my eye. The guardian statues that flank it looked very different from the rest of ones i seen in Bukit Brown before. Taking a closer look, true enough -it was statutes of 2 men ! With the help of Bukit Brown community, i found out that they represented two of the Eight Immortals (八仙). The statute on the far left is Iron-Crutch Li ( Li Tieguai) 鐵拐李 while on the right is Han Zhongli (Zhongli Quan) 钟离权 Iron-Crutch Li (Tieguai Li)鐵拐李 Han Zhongli (Zhongli Quan) 钟离权 I am not familiar nor i am expert with the stories and legends about the Eight Immortals, so what i will do is highlight some of the resources online that i found useful. The tomb occupant: Poh Soon Cheow Poh Soon Cheow was born on September 24, 1874 and died on July 13, 1928....

Madam Tijah - Beloved Nursing Mother (Bukit Brown)

After up righting the fallen marble headstone, i was truly stunned. It was something i never encountered before after more than a decade exploring Bukit Brown and reaffirms that fact there is still new discoveries to be uncovered. The headstone with lead etching reads; No. 93 G, In Loving Memory of Madam Tijah Beloved Nursing Mother of Madam Peck Swee Eng Swee Kim & Swee Geok Died 24th August 1928 Chinese 10th Day of 7th Moon Madam Tijah - beloved nursing mother This is an amazing discovery from so many angles ! From the burial registrar, Madam Tijah was 56 years old when she passed away. So many questions went through my mind Was Madam Tijah a malay woman buried in Bukit Brown or Tijah was just a nickname ? Was this tomb erected by Madam Peck Swee Eng, Peck Swee Kim and Peck Swee Geok to honor Tijah as their nursing mother or was Madam Tijah the nursing mother of this women's children? It is my first time seeing the words - NURSING MOTHER etched on th...

Kung Tian Siong and family (Bukit Brown)

Kung Tian Siong and Siauw Mah Li Kung Tian Siong (T.S. Kung) was born in 1876 in Malacca. He later was educated in Anglo Chinese School in Singapore. T.S Kung was the managing proprietor of the Empire Cinema, manager of the Liberty Hall and director of Pontianak Gold Dredging Concessions, Limited. He was also the managing director of the Harima Hall, during which the manager was Tan Chong Chew. The President of the Straits Chinese Recreational Club, he was also a committee member of the Chinese Swimming Club and secretary and manager of the Garden Club and a member of the Straits Chinese British Association. He was a staunch Christian and a preacher who preached in Geylang and Bedok Methodist Church. Cinema magnate and preacher man Empire Cinema was open in 1916. It was located at the junction of South Bridge Road, Tanjong Pagar Road and Neil Road (opposite Kreta Ayer Police station). T.S. Kung sold of the theatre in March 19, 1928. He also bought Harima Hal...

Yeo Teck Hock (Bukit Brown)

Yeo Teck Hock was with the Union Insurance Society of Canton and was the Vice-President of the Gunong Sayang Association (1935). He was also the Hon. Treasurer of the United Confederate Funeral Association (Clubhouse at No 2151-Joo Chiat Road). Yeo Teck Hock passed away at the age of 74 on 4th October 1954. He is survived by 2 sons, Yeo Koon Yam and Yeo Koon Kim, 5 daughters, 5 sons-in-law, 2 grand daughter-in-law and several grandchildren. The cortege left from No. 5 Valley Road. Mrs. Yeo Teck Hock nee Lee Eng Lee passed away at the age of 53 at No 83-A Haig Road on 18 November 1936. She leaves behind her husband, 2 sons (Yeo Koon Yam, Yeo Koon Kim), 2 sons-in-law (Kwek Peng Ewe, Seow Khiam Hock), 5 daughters and 2 grandsons. From their tombs, the name of their children; Son: Yeo Koon Yam, Yeo Koon Kim Daughter: Yeo Im Neo, Yeo Pang Neo, Yeo Bee Neo, Yeo Cheng Neo, Yeo Mui Neo Grandson: Seow Sim Kuah Yeo Teck Hock Family Son: Yeo Koon Yam Yeo Koon Yam (eldest son of M...

Seow Eng Tin (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Seow Eng Tin was a Manager and was a Director of the Chinese Commercial Bank, Limited and owned land in Johore. Mr. Seow Eng Tin passed away at the age of 55 on 17 October 1929. His address was stated as 75 Neil Road. He leaves behind a widow, two sons, Messrs. Seow Tiong Teck and Seow Tiong Soo, one daughter, Mrs. Koh Kong Guan, one grandson and 2 granddaughters. When Mr. Seow Eng Tin passed away the left a large amounting to $190,000 in Singapore and $152,000 in Johore. Seow Eng Tin Mrs. Seow Eng Tin, nee Madame Tan Keng Neo, died at her residence. No. 75, Neil Road, Singapore at the age of 56 on 11 September 1935. Madam Tan Keng Neo leaves behind two sons, Messrs. Seow Tiong Teck and Seow Tiong Soo (both of the Universal Motor Accessory Co.) and one daughter, Mrs. Koh Kong Guan, 1 son-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren. Madam Tan Keng Neo Bold Impersonation A chinese hokkien man sporting a mackintosh and fashionable f...

Lim Swee Lian nee Mrs. Oei Koen Hian (Bukit Brown)

It started out with the baby photo of Lim Swee Lian together with her mother, Yeo Ai Lin and her biological father, Lim Dwan In that drew me in to find out more about what happened to her after the rediscovery of the tomb of Lim Dwan In. Fortunately there were some information from the archive newspapers. Madam Lim Swee Lian nee Mrs. Oei Koen Hian passed away at the age of 40 on 11 September 2603 (1943). From the obituary notice, Mrs. Oei Koen Hian, only daughter of Madam Yeo Ai Lin (Mrs. S.K. Lim) passed away at the age of 40 at 170 Bencoolen Street on 11 September 2603 (1943) leaving behind her mother, husband, 2 daughters, and 1 brother (Lim Hap Hin) to mourn her loss. From the tomb, we get confirmation on the names of her daughters; R. Wee Kim Neo (Rosie Wee Kim Neo / Rosie Oei Kim Nei ) B. Wee Keng Neo (Betty Wee Keng Neo) Note: The Christian names of her daughter i manage to derive from the obituary notice of Madam Lim Swee Lian's mother, Yeo Ai Lin and her brother, ...

Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Tan Hoon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Hoon Neo is the wife of Mr Choa Kim Keat. She passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on 1 February 1935 in 149 Neil Road. She is survived by 1 son, Choa Joon Hean , 2 daughters, 1 adopted daughter and 25 grandchildren. On her tomb, her date of birth is listed as 11 Day of 2nd Chinese Moon. The names of her children and grandchildren listed on the tomb are as follows; Son: Choa Joon Hean Daughters: Choa Yong Neo, Choa Poh Neo, Choa Hah Neo Grandchildren: Choa Watt Chiang Eric, Choa Watt Seng Walter, Choa Kwee Neo Jean, Choa Kim Neo, Nancy Tan Hoon Neo is the daughter of Mr. Tan Kim Ching, grand daughter of Mr. Tan Tock Seng. Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Madam Tan Hoo Neo Husband: Choa Kim Keat Choa Kim Keat was the only son of Choa Kai Hoon who came down from Malacca to Singapore and joined Choa Boon Buan & Co. (chop Khye Guan Tong), a Commission Agent in Boat Quay. Choa Kai Hoon eventually succeeded his brother Choa Chuan Ghio as the Manager ( bran...

Chua Hoo Long (Bukit Brown)

The marble headstone collapsed and was broken to pieces. The decorative tiles from S.A, Ceramics, Belgium (1907-1930). Fortunately the marble slab below the altar table was intact. We did what we could to piece what we found together (see the photos below). From what i can make out; The late Mr. Chua Hoo Long Beloved Husband of Madam Chew Pok Neo Died 19th November 1928 Age 38 The names of his children; Son: Chua Kek San Daughters: Chua Yang Neo, Chua Yang Chee Tomb of Mr. Chua Hoo Long Location of tomb Block 2 Division H, plot ? Condition of the tomb of Mr. Chua Hoo Long when we first saw it Tomb of Mr. Chua Hoo Long after some heavy lifting

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Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
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