White Coolies
| Author | Betty Jeffrey |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Subject | World War Two |
| Genre | memoir |
| Publisher | Angus & Robertson |
Publication date | 1954 |
White Coolies is a 1954 memoir by Australian nurse Betty Jeffrey about her experiences in World War Two.[1] This included surviving the sinking of the Vyner Brook, escaping a massacre, and being in a camp on Sumatra.[2]
Background[edit]
It was based on a diary she secretly kept in the camp.[3]
Reception[edit]
The book was a best seller, selling more than 70,000 copies in Australia.[4]
The book was adapted into a hugely successful radio serial.
Radio serial[edit]
| Running time | 30 mins |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Starring | Ruth Cracknell as Betty June Salter |
| Written by | Gwen Friend |
| Produced by | Fifi Banvard |
| Original release | 9 October 1955 – 1956 |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
The book was adapted into a 1955 radio serial.[5]
It was one of the most acclaimed Australian radio serials of all time. There was a mostly female cast and a female writer and director, which was rare for the time,[6]
Cast[edit]
- Ruth Cracknell as Betty Jeffrey
- June Salter
- Margaret Christensen as Sister Delforce
- Madge Ryan as Matron Paschke
- Joan Lander as Sister Woodbridge
References[edit]
- ^ "WHITE COOLIES". Brisbane Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 1 March 1954. p. 11 (CITY FINAL). Retrieved 1 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Girl guests of the Japs". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XV, no. 23. New South Wales, Australia. 25 April 1954. p. 18. Retrieved 1 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "They also serve". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 567. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 22 April 1978. p. 11. Retrieved 1 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Australia. Department of Education.; Australia. Department of Education and Science.; Australia. Commonwealth Office of Education. (February 1960) [1957], "THE BOOKS AUSTRALIANS READ", Section v. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm., Hemisphere, 4 (2), North Sydney, N.S.W: Dept. of Education and Science, ISSN 0018-0300, nla.obj-3135886198, retrieved 1 June 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "Army nurses' war drama as KZ serial". The Age Radio Supplement. 6 October 1955. p. 1.
- ^ Philp, Peter (2016). Drama in silent rooms. Eureka Media. pp. 448–452.
External links[edit]
- Complete show at Internet Archive
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