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Rojak Librarian

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 elephant

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Archibald Maclean (former Bidadari Cemetery)

elephant former bidadari cemetery marble

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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

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Popular Post

Jalan Besar Stadium (Images from the Past)

From the aerial photograph with only generic metadata from Royal Air Force below, i manage to identify Jalan Besar Stadium from its 4 tower flood lights. Comparing with maps of the past and today, i tried to identify the road names as well. Jalan Besar Stadium and its surrounding roads (source: NAS ) Youth Festival (1961) at Jalan Besar Stadium (source: NAS) President Yusuf Ishak opening the Youth Festival at Jalan Besar Stadium (source: NAS) Some snippet about the site: Jalan Besar Stadium, officially opened on 26 December 1929, quickly became the heart of Singapore’s sporting scene. Built as a municipal sports ground, it was home to football matches, athletics, and community events, drawing crowds that often exceeded its capacity—most famously in 1951, when 16,000 fans packed in for a Singapore FA clash with South China AA. From the 1930s onward, it served as the national football team’s home ground, earning its reputation as the “cradle of Singapore football.” Over...

Paya Lebar Airport and Airport Road (Images from the Past)

From this 1958 aerial photograph from the Royal Airforce, i suspect that this was the photo of the new Singapore International Airport ( Paya Lebar Airport) that was built to replace Kallang Airport. You can see the newly constructed dual carriage road that also leads to the airport. This road is likely Airport Road today. What is fascinating is you can see how Singapore look like in the past with its Kampong's and agricultural farm lands on what is now likely Tai Seng and Ubi Industrial estate area. Paya Lebar Airport / Singapore International Airport (1958) - source: NAS Paya Lebar Airport officially opened on 20 August 1955, replacing Kallang Airport as Singapore’s main international gateway. At its launch, it was hailed as one of Asia’s finest airports, equipped with modern runway lighting, radio navigation aids, and radar. By 1960, the airport was already handling more than 300,000 passengers annually, with 11 airlines operating 125 weekly flights. Throughout the...

Dream Clue to 11 Year Mystery - Finding Boey Kai Hong

For 11 year, the relatives of Mr. Boey Kai Hong (a well known Cantonese merchant and son of pawnshop millionaire in Singapore, Mr. Boey Pak Fook) disappeared during the Japanese occupation in March 1942, have been wondering what happened to him. Boey Kai Hong, who was 42 years was taken away by the Japanese from his office at Kwong Wai Siew Hospital on 6 March 1942 when the Japanese military police arrived at 4:30 pm with the intention of taking him for his role of leading the anti-Japanese resistance and supporting the China Relief Fund. He never returned. Dream Clue It was reported in the same article dated 22 December 1953, that a relative had been dreaming for days that he saw Mr. Boey Kai Hong's "spirit" hovering over an embankment outside Outram Road School, Singapore. The school was believed to be a Kempeitai depot during the occupation and they believe he was killed by the Japanese there. Diggers unearthed a few bones and a piece of blood-stained canvas after Bo...

Chan Cheng Kiat (Bukit Brown)

Chan Cheng Kiat passed away on 24 November 1936 at the age of 69. Mrs. Chan Cheng Kiat nee Tan Geok Lin Neo passed away at the age of 61 at her residence, 41 Neil Road on 15 June 1935 leaving behind her husband, 4 sons; Chan Siew Hoon, Chan Siew Kiong, Chan Siew Kiam, Chan Siew Jiang 2 daughters, 1 daughter-in-law, 4 grandchildren, 4 brothers; Tan Teng Ann, Tan Gim Ann, Tan Soon Ann, Tan Tan kim She is buried in Bukit Brown. Chan Cheng Kiat Tomb of Chan Cheng Kiat Location of tomb Block 4 Section C, plot 693 (plot number goes vertical)

Mr. and Mrs. Wee Teong Chai (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Wee Teong Chai passed away at the age of 63 at his residence No. 117, Lorong 25, Geylang at 7:15pm on 6 September 1934. He leaves behind; 1 daughter: Miss Wee Geok Kim Nephew: Wee Chim Kay Adopted Daughter: Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow, Niece: Tan Teck Neo Granddaughter: Amy Gan Grand nephew: Tan Kiat Kwee Mrs. Wee Teong Chai nee Cheng Hong Neo passed away at her residence, No. 117 Lorong 25 Geylang at 5:15 am on 4 October 1933. (In the burial registrar her age was listed as 54). She leaves behind, her husband, Daughter: Wee Geok Kim Nephew: Wee Chim Kay Adopted Daughter: Tan Kim Choo Niece: Tan Teck Neo Grand Nephew: Tan Kiat Kwee Granddaughter: Amy Gan Wee Teong Chai Family Adopted Daughter: Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow nee Tan Kim Choo Mrs. Gan Hock Cheow passed away at the age of 70 at her residence, 27 Lorong K off Still Road on 27 January 1959. She leaves behind 3 daughters: Mrs. Tan Kiat Kwee, Mrs. Beck Teck Bock, Mrs. Lim Kim Teck and 3 sons-in-law. She is ...

Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (Bukit Brown)

In the initial years of Bukit Brown Cemetery, Certificate's of Reservation was made available for purchase to people who are able to reserve this plots in advance . I was fortunate enough to see the Certificate of Reservation of Mr. and Mrs. Koh Chong Keng (issued in 1938 and purchased at $300 for 6 plots) and recently again another example found of the Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (issued in 1925 and purchased at $100 for 2 plots). What is different and interesting is the burial plot lease hold period of 99 years for this certificate starts from 1 January 1908 compared to Koh Chong Keng certificate which starts from 1 January 1922 . There is so much to learn and question i want to ask, but lets leave that for another time. Certificate of Reservation for Kam Peng Huat (source: Roots.sg) Who is Kam Peng Huat ? Kam Peng Huat / Kum Peng Huat was a merchant with business in saw-mill located at 43 Mill Lane. He had a partnership in the Primrose Aerated Factory ...

Madam Lim Seng Neo (Lao Sua)

Madam Lim Seng Neo passed away at the ageo of 76 on 24 January 1934. Sons: Sng Koon Kok, Sng Tian Kit Grandsons: Sng Tian Sang, Sng Tian Hoe, Sng Thiam Hock, Sng Thiam Siew, Sng Thiam Soon, Sng Thiam Lye Great Grandsons: Sng Tian Choo, Sng Johnny Daughters: Sng Kim Neo, Sng Suan Neo Grand-daughters: Sng Keok Neo, Sng ? Neo, Sng Guan Neo, Sng Chit Neo, Sng Tong Neo Madam Lim Seng Neo Location of tomb 8RMG+2H2 Singapore Tomb of Madam Lim Seng Neo

Mosquito Bus with Tanjong Pagar route sign (Images from the Past)

Found this interesting picture dated 1929 and it shows a close-up of an early local transportation that was popular during that time period - a Mosquito bus. The photo was originally in black and white and faded. I used Gemini and prompted it to sharpen the picture and colorise it without changing anything else. Without commenting on the color of the mosquito bus itself (which could be wrong), there are still other layers of potential information from the photo with the most obvious one- Tanjong Pagar and the license plate of the vehicle (S4267) and the owner ? (H.W. Teck). In the background is another smaller vehicle and in the background is a church steeple - possibly Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (today CHJIMES). Tanjong Pagar denotes the route of this bus service - Tanjong Pagar - Geylang. Just behind the Mosquito bus (which is fully laden with passengers), i can make out a Dispensary but not its name. From old maps, i will make an educated guess that the road t...

Funeral expense of Madam Goh Kim Neo (Bukit Brown)

I do get questions on how much it would have cost for a funeral in Bukit Brown. There are some examples of estimate cost, but today i found a detail example of this for the funeral of Mrs. Lim Chia Teck nee Madam Goh Kim Neo who passed away at the age of 70 on 20 July 1939. The below is a close-up of an entry from the notebook of Mr. Chia Keng Tye (son-in-law of Madam Goh Kim Neo and son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam ) dated 20 July 1939. Breakdown of cost for the funeral expense of the late Madam Goh Kim Neo Chia Keng Tye's handwriting was very clear and gave a detail breakdown of the funeral expense of Madam Goh Kim Neo who passed at the age of 70 on 20 July 1939. The cost came down to $1436. The breakdown includes Grave Plot $60 Burial Fee $15 Malacca Coffin $180 Ang Chin Huat $500 Various Other expenses $301 Making Kubor $380 There is so many interesting nuggets from this breakdown including the cost of the coffin ($180) and how they used the service of Ang Chin Huat...

Tnee Say Mwee (Bukit Brown)

Tnee Say Mwee in the burial entry is written as Tnee Swat Mui. He passed away on 7 July 1935 at the age of 52. Location of tomb Block 3 Division D, plot 301

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Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
Bukit Brown Cemetery
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Burial Registrar
Bukit Brown Documentation of Graves
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Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Our Bedok Kampong House
Good morning yesterday
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Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

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Raffles Museum of Bio-Diversity's Habitatnews-
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Nature in S'pore and M'sia

Focus Ubin
National Parks(Singapore)
Mangrove Flora and fauna of Sg Buloh
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Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

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