An INTERNEE at SUMATRA

DRYSDALE J. [John] CBE JMN PJK JP b.1897 Glasgow. Educated Royal Technical College, 
Glasgow & Glasgow University. Company Manager/Director, J.A. Russell & Co.Ltd KL and 
Director, Malayan Colleries Ltd.

Aged 45 in 1942. Captured aboard Mata Hari. Palembang, Sumatra internee. Camp Hospital Chemist.

He made toothbrushes out of coconut & rope fibre. 
According to Reis diary he was an absolute saint of a man in looking after sick and dying 
internees. McDougall called him ‘Direct Action Drysdale’ for his confrontational approach with 
the Japanese.

Wife Janet evacuated with daughters Catherine and Margaret on Orion, arriving 
Fremantle WA 6.1.42. Returned to Malaya with John Russell & Co. living at 10 Hampshire 
Drive KL.

Retired to Gleneagles, Perthshire. A member of BAM till 1973.

John died July 18th ,1979 
Perthshire

Excerpt from : 

SUMATRA INTERNEES
including AANS & QA Military Nurses, a few male military personnel
interned as civilians [Padang Group] but not including Dutch nationals.

Compiled by Jonathan Moffatt, Michael Pether, Becca Kenneison

credit and thanks to  the above listed .