Skip to main content

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.

Search This Blog

Home
Bukit Brown
Bidadari Christian Cemetery
Rojak Librarian+
Sitemap

Posts

Butterflies spotted in Simei

February 24, 2008

butterflies simei

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Crimson-Winged or Banded Woodpecker?

January 05, 2008

singapore ubin woodpecker

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

A nice morning walk in Ubin

November 24, 2007

Changi Village hornbill ubin

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chek Jawa - Part II

August 16, 2007

chek jawa singapore ubin

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chek Jawa revisited -Part I

August 16, 2007

chek jawa singapore ubin

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Sime Forest Butterflies

August 06, 2007

butterflies sime forest singapore

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Sime Forest Amphibians

August 06, 2007

amphibian sime forest singapore

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

St George's Church, Singapore (Red-brick building)

Church Red-brick building St. George

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Python having lunch

botanic gardens Python singapore

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

The old Commando building revisited (Changi Village)

Changi Village Commando nostalgia

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Brahminy Kite

brahminy kite eagle nature reserve singapore sungai buloh

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Trip to Sebana Cove, Pengerang Johor to watch fireflies

firefly johor pengerang

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Library Assistant jailed

November 20, 2006

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Penang -the sights and mostly Penang laksa

August 03, 2006

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Collared Scoop owl "captured" in the afternoon

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Labels

Bukit Brown958
Hill 3316
Hill 1184
Hill 4163
Died Young141
decorative tiles134
Block 3 Div D130
Block 4 Div A113
Hill 297
Block 3 Div B86

Show more Show less

Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

Total Pageviews

Subscribe to Youtube Channel

Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

Archive

2024 188

2023 168
- December 10
- November 7
- October 12
- September 20
- August 10
- July 9
- June 31
- May 18
- April 5
- March 12
- February 12
- January 22
2022 237
- December 11
- November 15
- October 20
- September 6
- August 15
- July 15
- June 12
- May 6
- April 17
- March 37
- February 54
- January 29
2021 326
- December 19
- November 47
- October 36
- September 24
- August 27
- July 31
- June 25
- May 20
- April 17
- March 28
- February 26
- January 26
2020 112
- December 13
- November 20
- October 13
- September 11
- August 8
- July 7
- June 6
- May 8
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 8
2019 52
- December 1
- October 2
- September 5
- August 4
- July 8
- June 7
- May 4
- April 4
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2018 53
- December 2
- November 4
- October 4
- September 5
- August 9
- July 9
- June 3
- April 2
- March 5
- February 5
- January 5
2017 52
- December 1
- November 1
- October 1
- September 2
- August 4
- July 7
- June 8
- May 3
- April 8
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2016 52
- December 4
- August 2
- July 8
- June 3
- May 8
- April 11
- March 10
- February 5
- January 1
2015 43
- December 4
- November 5
- October 3
- July 1
- June 5
- May 1
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 6
2014 92
- December 6
- November 5
- October 7
- September 5
- August 5
- July 11
- June 8
- May 10
- April 8
- March 8
- February 9
- January 10
2013 99
- December 8
- November 9
- October 9
- September 4
- August 4
- July 10
- June 8
- May 8
- April 9
- March 10
- February 10
- January 10
2012 78
- December 7
- November 6
- October 10
- September 5
- August 2
- July 5
- June 4
- May 8
- April 7
- March 9
- February 8
- January 7
2011 44
- December 7
- November 8
- October 2
- September 1
- July 2
- June 5
- May 6
- April 6
- March 3
- February 1
- January 3
2010 29
- December 4
- November 4
- October 8
- September 8
- August 3
- April 2
2008 2
- February 1
- January 1
2007 10
- November 1
- August 4
- June 4
- April 1
2006 11
- November 1
- August 1
- June 3
- March 1
- February 3
- January 2
2005 45
- November 3
- October 3
- May 1
- April 13
- March 25
2004 6
- September 3
- August 3

Show more Show less

Popular Post

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...

Christian Cemetery Serangoon Road Burial Receipt (Syonan Tokubetu Si)

Thanks to the community contribution of Ben Yew, i now managed to get another glimpse of a Burial Receipt that was used for Bukit Brown Cemetery - but there is a twist to this - the burial receipt was originally printed to be used for the Christian Cemetery, Serangoon Road but it was strike out ! Unlike the previous burial receipt that used Syonan Tokubetu (even though the receipt post dates the Japanese occupiers surrender ), this particular receipt is dated 2604 -2 -19 or 19 February 1944 (if we translate that back to Gregorian Calendar, which was during the Japanese occupation still). My theory was there was more burials in Bukit Brown cemetery and thus needing more receipts, the Christian Cemetery, Serangoon Road (possibly Bidadari) ones was reused. The burial receipt was for Ang Kah Peck who passed away on 19 February 1944 and is buried in the Pauper Division, Block 4 Division 2, plot 734 B. The burial receipt clearly states: nil (Free Burial). As Ang Kah Peck was buried in t...

Wee Kiong Chiang of the Chinese Labour Corps (Kranji War Memorial)

The below picture is the military grave marker for Wee Kiong Chiang, who served in the Chinese Labour Corps and died during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore on 9 April 1945. His service number was CL/48. He is the husband of Madam Sim Kiew End of Bedok, Singapore. The Chinese characters (when read together from right to left (traditional Chinese reading direction) on the tombstone are 鞠躬盡瘁 which translates literally as "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH". Another eloquent translation: Be loyal and devoted to the end. The full phrase is 鞠躬尽瘁死而后已 which can be traced from the 3 kingdom stories which describes the devotion of Zhuge Liang to the Shu Han cause at the death bed of Liu Bei. To me what is most interesting is the Chinese Labour Corps. I didn't know there was there even one. Who were they and what did they do during the war. Read on for my basic research and what i discovered so far. (Do note there is also ample research for the Chinese Labour Corps but that vers...

Madam Tan Kiok Neo (Kopi Sua)

Madam Tan Kiok Neo passed away at the age of 74 on 15 December 1949. Sons: Lee Chong Bee, Lee Chong Kung, Lee Chong Tin Daughters: Lee Siew Eng, Lee Siew Hiong Grandsons: Lee Eng Soon, Lee Eng Seng Granddaughters: Lee Suat Ngoh, Lee Suat Chen, Lee Chuay ?, Lee Guat Ngoh, Lee Eng Guan, Lee Eng ?, Lee Eng Hoon In an article dated 25 September 1958, there was mentioned of a Peter Lee Phuay who passed away at the age of 84. He is the father of Mrs. Cheong Ah Khoo, Mrs. Tan Chong Eng, Leong Chong Nee, Lee Chong Kang, Lee Chong Tin. The cortege left from No. 25 Lorong 15 for Queen of Peace Church and after that Bidadari. (This is one possible lead i have). Madam Tan Kiok Neo Madam Tan Kiok Neo What is interesting about this tomb which i learned from Raymond Goh is the meaning of the words beneath her age which is hokkien for the ancestral town or village she is from Hokkien Tang Owah Kwao Bauy Hung Hai Pee Khoo Tan Por Aw Pee Sia Location...

Bukit Brown Burial Receipt (Syonan Tokubetu Si)

The Syonan Tokubetu Si Cemetery Certification for Registration burial receipt caught my eye in a facebook group post recently. It was a Certification for Registration receipt issue for payment for burial under the Syonan Tokubetsu Si (Municipal Administration for Singapore as it was known during Japanese Occupation). The receipt has the word Bukit Brown written on it and the other important thing was the date - 2nd December 1945 . We know that the Japanese occupiers surrendered on 14 September 1945 and yet this receipt post-dates that significant date. Was there a mistake in the year ? Unlikely as 1945 is written twice in this receipt. It is more likely that post war, office supplies were still rare to come by, so the Municipal Administrators continued using the old receipts. But to be very certain, we looked at 2 things - the burial registrar of Bukit Brown and of another the actual tomb itself ! Burial receipt (photo courtesy of William Teo) The Bukit Brown burial r...

Cheong Hock Chye (Kopi Sua)

Born in Singapore to Mr. and Mrs, Cheong Koon Seng , Cheong Hock Chye was an auctioneer and valuer like his father and started his own auction firm, Cheong Hock Chye and Co, Ltd at 1-A, Raffles Place in 1940. He played an active public role and was a member of the Singapore Rural Board. Other committees he was in included the Boxing Board of Control, Rent Conciliation Board, Singapore Rotary Club, Committee of the Straits Chinese British Association, Rate Payers Association and Hon. Director of the Oleh Oleh Party. Cheong Hock Chye stood for elections as a Progressive candidate for Rural West. He lost to Mr. Balwant Singh (an Independent candidate). When Cheong Koon Seng passed away on 20 March 1934, probate of his will was granted to Cheong Hock Chye and Chia Siew Tin. Cheong Hock Chye Death Cheong Hock Chye, J.P. of Messrs. Cheong Hock Chye & Co., Ltd. passed away at the age of 49 on Sunday 27 February 1949. He leaves behind his beloved widow, 3 sons:...

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...

Muslim tombstone at Bidadari Park

I have been visiting again Bidadari after the Bidadari Park reopened to residents surrounding the neighbourhood as well as the birding community. I haven birding in that area before its closure almost 8 years ago and during that time, i still do see remnants of old batu nisan at the Muslim section at the cemetery. While bird watching today, i also kept a look on the grounds to see if any headstones remain and to my surprise i found one large one which documented. This was found on the park grounds closer to Bidadari Park Drive and surprisingly just next to the walking path. Muslim tombstone / Batu Nisan at Bidadari Park - 18 December 2024 Past Discoveries Below are some of my observations of the space during 2012 to 2016 time line. Grave stone markers (E404 and G 239 ) Past post on Bidadari Trumpter Hornbill in Bidadari (April 18, 2016), posted on April 19, 2016 Birdwatching in Bidadari (January 10, 2016), posted on January 20, 2016 Birdwatching in Bi...

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 Pah...

Relocated tombs from Heng San Teng (Kopi Sua Cemetery)

If you visit the Whitley Road Cemetery also colloquially known as Kopi Sua, there lies a cluster of tombs, each close to each other and each with only headstones. Many of this stones dates back to late 1800s and are from the Heng Sang Teng Cemetery at Silat Road where the Singapore General Hospital is now. What is also interesting are jars that store skeletal remains of the exhumed dead are also visible in concrete container holding areas. The Heng San Teng temple and its public cemetery was established by Seet Hoot Keh (1793-1847) a prominent Hokkien. Born in Malacca, he made his wealth in tin mining before setting business in Singapore during the time when Singapore began to prosper as a British colony and port of call. In 1828, Seet Hoot Keh established the Heng San Teng temple. He eventually retired in Malacca and pass away in 1847. and is survived by 6 sons and 11 daughters. Among them are his grandson, See Ewe Lay (owner of the first Chinese paper, Lat Pau) and his great gra...

Support My Efforts

Support My Efforts

Rojak Librarian +

Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
Bukit Brown Cemetery
Bukit Brown Trails
Burial Registrar
Bukit Brown Documentation of Graves
Singapore Heritage Society
Clarity Compass
Bukit Brown Tomb
Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Good morning yesterday
Oceanskies
Remember Singapore
Yesterday.sg
Bits & Pieces
Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

Bird Ecology Study Group(Singapore)
Nature Society Singapore
Malaysian Nature Society
Singapore Environment Council
S'pore Bird Group
S'pore Butterfly Interest Group
Wild Singapore
Raffles Museum of Bio-Diversity's Habitatnews-
Nature Photographic Society (Singapore)
Oriental Bird Club
Butterfly Circle Checklist

Nature in S'pore and M'sia

Focus Ubin
National Parks(Singapore)
Mangrove Flora and fauna of Sg Buloh
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve-Wildlife Singapore
Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

Bird Database & Resources

Singapore Birds
Singapore Birds Project
Birding in Malaysia
Oriental Bird Images
Xeno Canto
Birder Resource

Daily Moon Phase

Powered by Blogger

2005-2024, All Rights Reserved, Rojak Librarian