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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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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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Neo Chiew and family (Bukit Brown)

February 01, 2026

Block 3 Div D decorative tiles

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Labels

Bukit Brown893
Hill 3328
Died Young194
Hill 1184
decorative tiles177
Block 3 Div D152
Hill 4152
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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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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Ng Boo Bee (Taiping)

Ng Boo Bee (1853-1921) 黄务美, was born and educated in Fujian, China before making his way to Malaya, first in Penang before eventually making a name for himself in the State of Perak. His father is Ng Koh Sung and mother, U Choot Kwah. He started out as a brick manufacturer and timber merchant under the name of Chop Swee Bee in Taiping, Ipoh and Teluk Anson. In Taiping, he acquired the tender contract as a railway contractor under Mr. C.R. Hanson, Resident Engineer for Perak Railways and was probably responsible for the building of the first railway in Malaya which connected Taiping to Port Weld. It was during this time he shrewdly acquired land around Kamunting. Ng Boo Bee Millionaire tin miner The land purchases around Kamunting made Ng Boo Bee a millionaire and with that he acquired also various houses in Taiping and also Penang. The Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir John Anderson visited Ng Boo Bee tin mine in 1908 which had at that time, employed 4,500...

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...

Ko Teck Kin (Kopi Sua)

Mr. Ko Teck Kin (高德根) was born in China in Leong Kay (Hokkien Province) in 1911. He came down to Singapore at the age of 10 and went to Sumatra at 20 years old to start a business. When he returned, he worked with the shipping firm owned by his father, Mr. Ko Yam Ee and had his own business dealing in local products. Post war, he started the rubber milling business of Kah Hin Rubber Co. Ltd in which he was the managing director. His other business included Ho Chiang Shipping Co. Ltd, Ko Liong Hin, importers and exporters. and the Chin Cheng Realty Ltd. By the time time he was 42 years old in 1953, he was labelled as one of the youngest Chinese millionaires in the Singapore rubber industry. He was also the chairman of Chung Khiaw Bank. Ko Teck Kin Ko Teck Kin was the Vice-President (1952-1953) and later President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce from 1954 to 1955, and again from 1958 to 1965. Other roles: Committee Member of Singapore Hokkien Hui Kuan; Deputy Chairman...

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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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Focus Ubin
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Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

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