White Coolies

White Coolies is a 1954 memoir by Australian nurse Betty Jeffrey about her experiences in World War Two. This included surviving the sinking of the Vyner Brook, escaping a massacre, and being in a camp on Sumatra.

Background
It was based on a diary she secretly kept in the camp.

Reception
The book was a best seller, selling more than 70,000 copies in Australia.

The book was adapted into a hugely successful radio serial.

Radio serial
The book was adapted into a 1955 radio serial.

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.

Cast

 * Ruth Cracknell as Betty Jeffrey
 * June Salter
 * Margaret Christensen as Sister Delforce
 * Madge Ryan as Matron Paschke
 * Joan Lander as Sister Woodbridge