We've tried to ensure the information displayed here is as accurate as possible. Should there be any inaccuracies, we would be grateful if you could let us know at info@ipohworld.org . All images and content are copyright.

(Please click on the thumbnail for a bigger image.)

Batu Gajah Street Names

Thumbnail :

Subject :Batu Gajah Street Names
Published By : Author S Durai Raja Singam, Printed by the Merchantile Press, Ipoh 
Location : Batu Gajah, Perak
Estimated Year : 1939
Media Type : Article
Source : Ms Ong Su-ming
Remark : This is an extract from the book “Malayan Street Names, What They Mean and Whom They Commemorate”, written by S Durai Raja-Singham in 1939. Unfortunately it is no longer available, but the text below is as it was when published, except that for clarity the main abbreviations have been spelt out in full:

INTRODUCTION

Street names are fingerposts to History. These picturesque names are on the lips of thousands every day. Postal employees have their eyes on them. Ambulance and Fire Engine drivers take their directions from them as they rush by. Taxi drivers and rickshawallaws know them all. Yet how many of those know that the story of Malaya lives in these names?

In Malaya we have a fine mixture of English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, American, Australian, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Ceylonese names for our streets, including a Japanese name at Ipoh (Togo Street), Kings and Queens, Sultans and Rajas, Governors and Residents, lawyers and schoolmasters, editors and doctors, commercial magnates and Municipal Commissioners, planters and miners – all these who have worked for the country have had their names perpetuated. (Editor’s note – remember this was written in 1939, it no longer applies in the 21st century does it?)

BATU GAJAH

Boyd Road

Named after Mr William Ryder Boyd BA who was District Officer, Kinta in August 1935. He retired in 1937.

Brewster Road

Named after Mr E J Brewster who was District Officer, Kinta (1904-1910). He retired in 1916 as British Resident, Pahang.

Dickson Road

Named after Mr E A Dickson who retired as District Officer, Kinta in January, 1931. He is the son of Sir J Frederick Dickson, who was Colonial Secretary and sometime acting Governor of the Colony in 1887 and again in 1890.

Dowden Road

Named after the late Dr Richard Dowden BA, MD, who was stationed at Batu Gajah as District Surgeon in 1903. He rose to the position of Principal Medical Officer, Federated Malay States.

Frost Road

Named after Captain Meadows Frost who was District Officer, Kinta (1920-1922) and later Resident Councillor, Penang.

Henham Road

Named after Rev H C Henham, who was Captain of Batu Gajah from 1911-1920, having previously served for 19 years in Province Wellesley. He is at present working in England.

Owen Road

Named after Mr John Fortescue Owen, who was Chief Assistant District Officer, Kinta in 1907. He joined the service in 1889 as Assistant Collector and Magistrate, Kuala Pahang and rose to the position of British Resident, Pahang. He has served in all states of the F.M.S.

Parry Road

Named after Mr Parry who was Jailor at Batu Gajah for several years.

Wood Road

Named after the late Captain Harold Wood who was Assistant District Officer, Batu Gajah in 1931. He was stationed at Kuantan as Assistant District Officer in 1924 and was for several years District Officer, Port Dickson (1927-1931). He died in 1931.
Filename : 20080619-003