Many Malaysians grew up unaware of the remarkable story of Sybil Kathigasu. It was only in recent years that her name began resurfacing, reminding us of a nurse from Papan, Perak, who risked everything to support the Malayan resistance during one of the darkest chapters of our history. To understand her journey more deeply, we've compiled insightful articles that trace her path through the years.

Sybil Kathigasu (1899–1948) was a Eurasian nurse and midwife whose courage went far beyond the expectations of her profession. During the Second World War, she secretly sheltered wounded guerrillas, provided medical aid, and helped pass crucial messages to the resistance. Together with her husband, Dr Abdon Clement Kathigasu, she took great risks that eventually led to their arrest. Despite nearly two years of brutal torture by the Kempeitai, Sybil refused to betray anyone. Her steadfastness would later earn her a place in history as the only Malayan woman ever awarded the George Medal for Gallantry.

Long before the war, Sybil had studied obstetrics and nursing for three years and worked alongside her husband in their private practice in Papan, a small town near Ipoh. The couple offered free medical services to those who could not afford treatment, building a reputation for compassion and care. But their peaceful life was shattered in 1941 when Japanese forces bombed Ipoh and advanced into Malaya. It was around this time that Sybil had a vision, one she believed foretold the sacrifices she would soon be called to make. Instead of turning fearful, she placed a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in her home and began observing the world around her with even greater purpose.





When the occupation intensified, the Kathigesus supported the resistance by supplying medicine to Allied soldiers and sharing vital information. Sybil’s fluency in Cantonese allowed her to communicate with Chinese guerrillas, making her an invaluable link between communities. This involvement eventually led to her arrest. The Kempeitai subjected her to unimaginable torture, but Sybil refused to speak. Her strength came from her faith, her rosary, and her determination to protect those fighting for the country’s freedom.

One of the most harrowing moments came when she was forced to watch her five-year-old daughter, Dawn, suspended from a tree with flames beneath her. Even then, Sybil remained silent. It was Dawn who urged her mother to stay strong, telling her, “Be very brave, mummy. Don’t tell. We will both die, and Jesus will wait for us in Heaven above.”

Sybil survived the torture, but not without lasting damage. When the war ended, she was released from Batu Gajah prison on 6 September 1945 with severe injuries, including a fractured spine. Her first request was to be taken to St Joseph’s Church, where she dragged herself down the aisle in gratitude for her survival. Her husband and children, freed by the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army, were reunited with her soon after.

She later travelled to London for treatment, where she wrote her autobiography, No Dram of Mercy, offering a first-hand account of her ordeal and unwavering faith. In 1947, she received the George Medal from King George VI at Buckingham Palace, a recognition of bravery that few could ever match.

Sybil Kathigasu passed away on 12 June 1948 at the age of 49, her body weakened by the years of torture she endured. Though her life was short, her courage continues to echo through history as a reminder of the strength of a woman who chose sacrifice over safety, and conviction over fear.






May her story never fade, and may future generations continue to remember the quiet, unshaken bravery of Sybil Kathigasu : a name that deserves to stand among Malaysia’s greatest heroes.


Source / Image Credit : fiamc, HISTORY, MalaysiaAirlines , Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia