Betty Jeffrey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betty Jeffrey
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| Born | 14 May 1908 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | 13 September 2000 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Nationality | Australian |
Agnes Betty Jeffrey (born May 14, 1908 – died September 13, 2000) was a brave Australian nurse and writer. She is famous for her book White Coolies, which shares her experiences as a nurse during World War II.
Contents
Betty Jeffrey's Life Story
Early Nursing Career
Betty Jeffrey worked as a nurse during World War II. She was part of the 2/10th Australian General Hospital. Sadly, she was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army. She became a prisoner in a camp in the Dutch East Indies.
Life as a Prisoner of War
While held in the Japanese internment camp on Sumatra, Betty joined a special group. This group was a female vocal orchestra. They used their voices to create music. This helped keep spirits up in the difficult camp. Betty was finally set free on October 24, 1945. She was able to return home.
Honoring Nurses
After the war, Betty wanted to honor other nurses. She worked with another nurse named Vivian Bullwinkel. They visited many hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Their goal was to raise money for a special place.
This place became the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre. Betty was one of its founders. The center opened in Melbourne in 1949. It was built to remember the bravery of nurses.
Sharing Her Story
Betty later wrote about her experiences in the book White Coolies. This book helped inspire the film Paradise Road. It also led to an Australian radio series in 1955. Other nurses like Margaret Dryburgh, Vivian Bullwinkel, and Wilma Oram were also prisoners with Betty.
Betty Jeffrey's Book
About White Coolies
Betty Jeffrey's book is called White Coolies. It tells the true story of her time as a nurse during World War II. The book describes her experiences as a prisoner of war. It shows the challenges and strength of the nurses.
- White Coolies, Betty Jeffrey, Eden Paperbacks, Sydney, 1954 ISBN: 0-207-16107-0
