Remembering Lim Bo Seng: War Hero

  Today marks the 70th anniversary of  Lim Bo Seng’s martyrdom (29 Jun 1944) An excerpt from Singapore war hero Lim Bo Seng’s diary: “My duty and honour will not permit me to look back. Every day, tens of thousands are dying for their countries. You must not grieve for me. On the other hand, you should take pride in my sacrifice and devote yourself to the upbringing of the children. Tell them what happened to me and direct them […]

Bukit Brown in Singapore HeritageFest 2014

  For the first time Bukit Brown has been included in the Singapore HeritageFest with partners Singapore Heritage Society. The walks are free but  registration is needed via the Festival website only here Registration opens 1 July, 2014. Spaces are limited so register early to avoid disappointment! Bukit Brown in the City Saturday July 19 & July  26, 4pm – 6.30pm A number of pioneering settlers of 18th and 19th century colonial Singapore who were buried in the Chinese cemeteries of the […]

In Search of Great Grandfather Cho

  by Norman Cho In 2011, I discovered the grave of my paternal grandfather, Cho Kim Leong at Bukit Brown Cemetery. Since then, I have been trying to locate the tomb of his father, Cho Boon Poo (Cho Poo), who was laid to rest in Malacca. I had absolutely no clue as to which cemetery he was buried. Bukit Cina and Jelutong cemeteries came to mind but these are huge cemeteries with more than a hundred thousand graves each. They […]

Sun 6 July 9 am: Guided Walk

  Disclaimer: By agreeing to take walking tours  of Bukit Brown Cemetery, I understand and accept that I must be physically fit and able to do so.To the extent permissible by law, I agree to assume any and all risk of injury or bodily harm to myself and persons in my care (including child or ward) Please read if you are attending our guided walks for the first time, useful info on safety : Getting There/游览信息 If you have a […]

Bukit Brown:”Sacred” Site

  In a report, published on Sunday, 22 June, 2014,  Bukit Brown  emerged as among the top 3 sacred sites in Singapore,  voted by readers in a Straits Times poll. On learning of the news, Claire Leow, co founder of All Things Bukit Brown reflects: “To see the Singapore Heritage Society recognised is most apt, for they sparked the civil society response back in November 2011. To see the Brownies identified as a group is itself moving, as this disparate […]

“Moving House” – The Painting

  “Moving House” The Story behind the Painting  by Alvin Ong The story of 3 affected graves at Bukit Brown not too long ago inspired a revival of family interest; Tan Yong Chuan (Blk 4, Div C), Tan Tiam Tee (Blk 3, Div B), Wee Geok Eng Neo (Blk 4, Div 6) were exhumed in May 2014. Old photos were unearthed from family albums, and heirloom objects from another era suddenly came to light. For the first time in decades, […]

Sat 21 & Sun 22 June ’14: 3 Guided Walks

  Disclaimer: By agreeing to take walking tours  of Bukit Brown Cemetery, I understand and accept that I must be physically fit and able to do so.To the extent permissible by law, I agree to assume any and all risk of injury or bodily harm to myself and persons in my care (including child or ward) Please read if you are attending our guided walks for the first time, useful info on safety : Getting There/游览信息 If you have a […]

Sun 15 Jun’14: Guided Walk: The Japanese Occupation

  Disclaimer: By agreeing to take walking tours  of Bukit Brown Cemetery, I understand and accept that I must be physically fit and able to do so.To the extent permissible by law, I agree to assume any and all risk of injury or bodily harm to myself and persons in my care (including child or ward) Useful info here: Getting There/游览信息 Meeting place: At the Lor Halwa Main gates at Bukit Brown Sun 15 June’14 9am – 11.45am: Victims, Heroes […]

A Visit by (JNY) Jakarta Nanyang School

by Raymond Ang We visited Bukit Brown on a warm Saturday morning on June 7th , to find that the usual scene to the cemetery gates changed. There are now fences leading all the way to the gates. Clearly the construction for the highway has started. I had brought my students from the Jakarta Nanyang School here to Bukit Brown to learn more about the links between Indonesia and Singapore. The students sweltered in the humidity. I had two groups […]

Chua Chwee Oh (蔡水湖): Amoy Association

 by Ang Yik Han Born in Kulangsu Island off Amoy, Chua Chwee Oh came to Singapore at the age of 14. He studied till 17 or 18, after which he went into business. Beginning with trading between Singapore and Medan, he founded the firm Hock Heng in 1920 which had branches in Rangoon, Annam and other cities. It dealt mainly in local produce like dried fish and provisions. The biggest segment of his business was in French-controlled Annam, followed by […]