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No Dram of Mercy
with an introduction by Richard Winstedt ; and a preface by Cheah Boon Kheng.
- GenresHistory
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 18, 2021
This is a memoir by a Eurasian midwife/Doctor's wife of her harrowing ordeal at the hands of the Japanese forces during their occupation of Malaya in the early 1940s. This memoir doesn't start with the background of the writer, as most memoirs tend to do, but Sybil immediately plunged into the beginning of the Japanese occupation and how it impacted the lives and livelihood of her and her husband Dr Kathigasu. Her recollections in this memoir were so vivid; her description of her house at No.74, Main Street, Papan, Perak, the patients she treated, the condition of the cells which confined her, the inhumane torture inflicted upon her by the Kempeitai; that as a reader these narratives played out almost cinematically in one's head. As a Malaysian millennial, our exposure and knowledge of the Japanese occupation are sourced mainly from our History school textbooks, (which touch upon merely the surface of the events), meagre documentaries and oral history from our grandparents, for those fortunate enough to be told. It has caused my generation to not fully embrace and appreciate the horrors of the war our grandparents endured but for the stories of having to survive on tapioca and hide from the Japanese in rubber estates. It is through literature such as this memoir, that one is able to capture not just the atrocities of the war suffered by the Malayan people then, but also embody the courage and loyalty exhibited by these historical figures. This memoir highlighted that in the face of adversity, regardless of one's race and religion, everyone is united by the hope and optimism that the country will be liberated from the horror of its merciless occupiers. Sybil Kathigasu is a prime example that holding steadfast to one's faith, values and patriotism is the pillar of survival. This book should be incorporated as a syllabus in our school's History textbooks and Sybil's story must be passed down to future generations lest the young forgets the freedom they enjoy now was built on the sacrifices of their forefathers.
June 20, 2011
japanese occupation is so scary!
July 12, 2025
I probably shouldn’t have taken this long to finish the book, but I was really sick for days and couldn’t focus on reading in between all the coughing fits.
Why Don’t We Learn About Sybil Kathigasu in Our History Books? It’s a sad but common reality that women’s contributions during wartime are often downplayed or forgotten ..... not just in Malaysia, but globally. I remember we briefly learned about the Chinese Guerilla forces, specifically the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), in our history textbooks, but the information was barely there.
What’s even more surprising is that Sybil Kathigasu, the only Malayan woman to be awarded the George Medal for Gallantry — a high civilian honor bestowed by Britain’s King George VI — isn’t even mentioned!!!!
"Her autobiography, No Dram of Mercy, was completed in 1948 but only published in 1954 in the UK by Neville Spearman. It was reprinted by Oxford University Press in 1983. Shockingly, no Malaysian publisher reproduced it until Prometheus Enterprises did in 2006. Although there is a road named after her in Fair Park, Ipoh, to commemorate her bravery, she remains largely absent from Malaysian history education."
Great job there, Malaysian historians and Educational ministry! *Shakes head!!*
Why isn’t Sybil’s contribution acknowledged in our history syllabus? I’m not saying her book needs to be included like The Diary of Anne Frank, but at the very least, names of local wartime heroes — many of whom have been lost in translation — should be listed in our textbooks. It could be part of a history project where students explore and appreciate the sacrifices made by our own people. This would also highlight the heroism and patriotism of minority races in Malaysia and promote unity among Malaysia people of all races!!
I only found out about Sybil through a British YouTuber who was vlogging about forgotten Malaysian heroes. He traveled from Ipoh to Papan and met locals who told him about a brave woman named Sybil Kathigasu. Through his video, I discovered about this book and immediately bought a copy.
Sybil was a devout Catholic Eurasian woman, married to Dr. Abdon Kathigasu. Together, they ran a clinic, where she also served as a midwife to the local community. From what I gathered, they were well-respected and of high social standing. Despite that, Sybil came across as deeply compassionate and resilient. She treated her staff and servants kindly and was fiercely loyal to her friends and family.
Reading her book, it’s clear she was a woman shaped by her time — when Malaya was under British rule. Some might find it odd how she spoke of the British with admiration, but can we blame her? The Japanese Occupation, though relatively short, was horrific and brutal. The British colonizers, at least in her eyes, represented order and justice, in stark contrast to the cruelty of the Japanese military regime.
What amazed me most was her courage and determination. She risked everything — hiding illegal radios, passing information to the MPAJA, smuggling drugs, and treating wounded Chinese guerillas — all while maintaining a facade under the ever-watchful eyes of the Japanese forces. She operated in secrecy during a time when anyone could be a spy, and torture was a common interrogation tactic. Despite knowing the risks, she chose to help save lives.
Sybil was incredibly intelligent and strategic. There were moments in the book when I genuinely doubted I would’ve had the same courage to what she did. I was constantly on edge, worried she’d be discovered — and she often came dangerously close. It was also clear that Sybil knew her plans will not last long and has resort to taking the fault and punishment on her own.
Even after being captured, she remained defiant. She endured horrific torture, refused to betray her comrades, and insisted on taking the blame to protect her family. Her bravery was unmatched. There were times, I wish Sybil had not fought so much with her tormentor because she kept landing in so much trouble for doing so.
One part of the book that truly shook me is when the Kempeitai tried to burn her seven-year-old daughter, Dawn, alive in front of her as a form of torture. I was horrified. Yet even little Dawn held on, never broke down, and clung to faith in her mother and God. I salute her bravery.
Dr. Kathigasu also suffered under the Kempeitai’s torture. He tried to protect his family, but it was Sybil who insisted on shifting suspicion onto herself to protect them. Though he contributed greatly to the resistance by providing medical care, I believe it was Sybil who truly held the family together.
Despite the atrocities and cruelty inflicted during the Japanese Occupation, moments of humanity and compassion still emerged. While in prison, Sybil was helped by both strangers and friends who risked their own safety to bring her food, water, and even a change of clothes to help her recover. Some officers ...... even those within the oppressive system ..... showed courage and empathy by assisting her in secret. It’s heartening to know that amidst such darkness, there were still good people willing to help Sybil.
Even in prison, beaten and tortured daily, she found ways to smuggle out secret messages to her allies. She showed immense resistance to her tormentor, Yoshimura, who seemed to take special pleasure in his cruelty. I’m glad he eventually got what he deserved — even his superior officers apparently thought he went too far.
Sadly, Sybil passed away just months before the British officially returned to Malaya in September 1945. She never got to witness the end of the war. Her funeral was attended by people of all races — a true testament to how much she was loved and respected.
There’s very little information about what happened to Dr. Kathigasu and the rest of the family after her death. Olga, her eldest daughter, reportedly died in 2014. Dawn went to the UK for her studies, married a British man, and allegedly committed suicide later in life — though details are scarce and scattered across dubious articles.
The appendix section provides crucial context about Sybil's ordeal with the Kempeitai. It clarifies certain facts about her experience and offers insight into the narration — encouraging readers to "read between the lines" to understand details that were not explicitly described. While Sybil and her husband endured immense suffering during the brutal interrogations, the book also explains why she chose not to go into graphic detail about her torture. It's possible she deliberately omitted certain parts to avoid shifting focus onto the Japanese atrocities, perhaps out of a desire to preserve the dignity of her story or avoid retraumatizing readers.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Malaysia’s unsung heroes. It’s a powerful, heartbreaking, and inspiring read. Appreciated this input as well!!
P/S: It’s deeply upsetting to see the current condition of Sybil Kathigasu’s historic home. More should be done to preserve the legacy of someone who gave so much for her country.
An article about the state of her house: Why Is Sybil Kathigasu’s Legacy in Tatters? (Free Malaysia Today - 2019)
Why Don’t We Learn About Sybil Kathigasu in Our History Books? It’s a sad but common reality that women’s contributions during wartime are often downplayed or forgotten ..... not just in Malaysia, but globally. I remember we briefly learned about the Chinese Guerilla forces, specifically the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), in our history textbooks, but the information was barely there.
What’s even more surprising is that Sybil Kathigasu, the only Malayan woman to be awarded the George Medal for Gallantry — a high civilian honor bestowed by Britain’s King George VI — isn’t even mentioned!!!!
"Her autobiography, No Dram of Mercy, was completed in 1948 but only published in 1954 in the UK by Neville Spearman. It was reprinted by Oxford University Press in 1983. Shockingly, no Malaysian publisher reproduced it until Prometheus Enterprises did in 2006. Although there is a road named after her in Fair Park, Ipoh, to commemorate her bravery, she remains largely absent from Malaysian history education."
Great job there, Malaysian historians and Educational ministry! *Shakes head!!*
Why isn’t Sybil’s contribution acknowledged in our history syllabus? I’m not saying her book needs to be included like The Diary of Anne Frank, but at the very least, names of local wartime heroes — many of whom have been lost in translation — should be listed in our textbooks. It could be part of a history project where students explore and appreciate the sacrifices made by our own people. This would also highlight the heroism and patriotism of minority races in Malaysia and promote unity among Malaysia people of all races!!
I only found out about Sybil through a British YouTuber who was vlogging about forgotten Malaysian heroes. He traveled from Ipoh to Papan and met locals who told him about a brave woman named Sybil Kathigasu. Through his video, I discovered about this book and immediately bought a copy.
Sybil was a devout Catholic Eurasian woman, married to Dr. Abdon Kathigasu. Together, they ran a clinic, where she also served as a midwife to the local community. From what I gathered, they were well-respected and of high social standing. Despite that, Sybil came across as deeply compassionate and resilient. She treated her staff and servants kindly and was fiercely loyal to her friends and family.
Reading her book, it’s clear she was a woman shaped by her time — when Malaya was under British rule. Some might find it odd how she spoke of the British with admiration, but can we blame her? The Japanese Occupation, though relatively short, was horrific and brutal. The British colonizers, at least in her eyes, represented order and justice, in stark contrast to the cruelty of the Japanese military regime.
What amazed me most was her courage and determination. She risked everything — hiding illegal radios, passing information to the MPAJA, smuggling drugs, and treating wounded Chinese guerillas — all while maintaining a facade under the ever-watchful eyes of the Japanese forces. She operated in secrecy during a time when anyone could be a spy, and torture was a common interrogation tactic. Despite knowing the risks, she chose to help save lives.
Sybil was incredibly intelligent and strategic. There were moments in the book when I genuinely doubted I would’ve had the same courage to what she did. I was constantly on edge, worried she’d be discovered — and she often came dangerously close. It was also clear that Sybil knew her plans will not last long and has resort to taking the fault and punishment on her own.
Even after being captured, she remained defiant. She endured horrific torture, refused to betray her comrades, and insisted on taking the blame to protect her family. Her bravery was unmatched. There were times, I wish Sybil had not fought so much with her tormentor because she kept landing in so much trouble for doing so.
One part of the book that truly shook me is when the Kempeitai tried to burn her seven-year-old daughter, Dawn, alive in front of her as a form of torture. I was horrified. Yet even little Dawn held on, never broke down, and clung to faith in her mother and God. I salute her bravery.
Dr. Kathigasu also suffered under the Kempeitai’s torture. He tried to protect his family, but it was Sybil who insisted on shifting suspicion onto herself to protect them. Though he contributed greatly to the resistance by providing medical care, I believe it was Sybil who truly held the family together.
Despite the atrocities and cruelty inflicted during the Japanese Occupation, moments of humanity and compassion still emerged. While in prison, Sybil was helped by both strangers and friends who risked their own safety to bring her food, water, and even a change of clothes to help her recover. Some officers ...... even those within the oppressive system ..... showed courage and empathy by assisting her in secret. It’s heartening to know that amidst such darkness, there were still good people willing to help Sybil.
Even in prison, beaten and tortured daily, she found ways to smuggle out secret messages to her allies. She showed immense resistance to her tormentor, Yoshimura, who seemed to take special pleasure in his cruelty. I’m glad he eventually got what he deserved — even his superior officers apparently thought he went too far.
Sadly, Sybil passed away just months before the British officially returned to Malaya in September 1945. She never got to witness the end of the war. Her funeral was attended by people of all races — a true testament to how much she was loved and respected.
There’s very little information about what happened to Dr. Kathigasu and the rest of the family after her death. Olga, her eldest daughter, reportedly died in 2014. Dawn went to the UK for her studies, married a British man, and allegedly committed suicide later in life — though details are scarce and scattered across dubious articles.
The appendix section provides crucial context about Sybil's ordeal with the Kempeitai. It clarifies certain facts about her experience and offers insight into the narration — encouraging readers to "read between the lines" to understand details that were not explicitly described. While Sybil and her husband endured immense suffering during the brutal interrogations, the book also explains why she chose not to go into graphic detail about her torture. It's possible she deliberately omitted certain parts to avoid shifting focus onto the Japanese atrocities, perhaps out of a desire to preserve the dignity of her story or avoid retraumatizing readers.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Malaysia’s unsung heroes. It’s a powerful, heartbreaking, and inspiring read. Appreciated this input as well!!
P/S: It’s deeply upsetting to see the current condition of Sybil Kathigasu’s historic home. More should be done to preserve the legacy of someone who gave so much for her country.
An article about the state of her house: Why Is Sybil Kathigasu’s Legacy in Tatters? (Free Malaysia Today - 2019)
February 23, 2023
"You have been deceived and duped by the lies of your British friends. South-East Asia is free of them for ever; they will never return where they have once been driven out. We Japanese have nothing to fear from the future- but you must think of the present. The crimes you have committed have earned you a hundred deaths, and the British cannot save you. You are completely at our mercy, but you can save yourself. You have only to co-operate with us, to tell us all we want to know, and you shall live in freedom and in a luxury you have never dreamed of. You and your husband, your mother and your children, shall have the finest house in Ipoh to live in; you shall have cars, servants, as much money as you want, power and prestige. You are an intelligent woman- you have only to be reasonable.' 'The bait is a tempting one. For such a bait would you, Officer, betray your Emperor?' Of course not! That is quite different.' Not at all. If you would not betray your country and Emperor, you have no right to ask me to turn traitor to mine.'
- No Dram Of Mercy By Sybil Kathigasu
.
.
Correct me if i am wrong or if my memory served me correctly but i am sure i didn’t see Sybil Kathigasu was mentioned anywhere in History Textbook when i sat for PMR in 2005. I am glad that Current Textbook mentioned it and grateful that younger generation learned about her much earlier than i am. I only knew about her when people have started highlighting and write a petition why she was being forgotten from Malaysian History. Sybil was born in what was known now as Medan Indonesia. She grew up in Malaysia and married Malaysian Indian Doctor, AC Kathigasu. She is eurasian descent , can speak multiple languages including Cantonese and a staunch christian. This devotion ultimately becomes her strength in facing and enduring Japanese Army’s Cruel Torture towards her. The book consisted of 185 pages - entailed of how Sybil’s husband helped to treat the Wounded MPAJA’s Army. Along the way, Sybil which is also a trained nurse established dispensary to provide secret medical supplies and treatment. Sybil also risked her life by keeping 2 radios which she called ‘Josephine‘ and ‘-‘ to get info during the war. She has been subjected ‘Tokyo Wine Treatment’. She was beaten mercilessly and has experienced countless kick on the jaw when she refused to cooperate. She was forced to see that her five year old daughter being dangled on the tree full of Ants and the Japanese army officer in charge also threatened to burn her daughter alive. She sustained many injuries either physically or mentally but she managed to withhold all the information regarding the resistance movement. Her conviction towards the freedom cause is admirable. Unfortunately, she did not live long as she succumbed to sepsis due to her jaw injury. The book is straightforward but the courageous act displayed by Sybil is commendable. Hence, 5 stars simply for what she has contributed and she was indeed the Malaysian Hero. As for writing alone, i would rate this 3.5.
- No Dram Of Mercy By Sybil Kathigasu
.
.
Correct me if i am wrong or if my memory served me correctly but i am sure i didn’t see Sybil Kathigasu was mentioned anywhere in History Textbook when i sat for PMR in 2005. I am glad that Current Textbook mentioned it and grateful that younger generation learned about her much earlier than i am. I only knew about her when people have started highlighting and write a petition why she was being forgotten from Malaysian History. Sybil was born in what was known now as Medan Indonesia. She grew up in Malaysia and married Malaysian Indian Doctor, AC Kathigasu. She is eurasian descent , can speak multiple languages including Cantonese and a staunch christian. This devotion ultimately becomes her strength in facing and enduring Japanese Army’s Cruel Torture towards her. The book consisted of 185 pages - entailed of how Sybil’s husband helped to treat the Wounded MPAJA’s Army. Along the way, Sybil which is also a trained nurse established dispensary to provide secret medical supplies and treatment. Sybil also risked her life by keeping 2 radios which she called ‘Josephine‘ and ‘-‘ to get info during the war. She has been subjected ‘Tokyo Wine Treatment’. She was beaten mercilessly and has experienced countless kick on the jaw when she refused to cooperate. She was forced to see that her five year old daughter being dangled on the tree full of Ants and the Japanese army officer in charge also threatened to burn her daughter alive. She sustained many injuries either physically or mentally but she managed to withhold all the information regarding the resistance movement. Her conviction towards the freedom cause is admirable. Unfortunately, she did not live long as she succumbed to sepsis due to her jaw injury. The book is straightforward but the courageous act displayed by Sybil is commendable. Hence, 5 stars simply for what she has contributed and she was indeed the Malaysian Hero. As for writing alone, i would rate this 3.5.
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September 24, 2021Reading about the Japanese Occupation of Malaya is a new experience for me. No Dram of Mercy is only the second book on this segment of history that I have read.
Sybil Kathigasu's brave fight against the Japanese cannot be denied and her efforts to treat and help as many people as she could during the harrowing Japanese Occupation must be applauded.
Her stories of life during the Occupation and her torture at the hands of the Kempetei are so vivid and very scary.
Her bravery and courage are to be commended.
Sybil Kathigasu's brave fight against the Japanese cannot be denied and her efforts to treat and help as many people as she could during the harrowing Japanese Occupation must be applauded.
Her stories of life during the Occupation and her torture at the hands of the Kempetei are so vivid and very scary.
Her bravery and courage are to be commended.
July 11, 2021
A historical depiction of the struggles endured by our war martyr Sybil and the Kathigasu family at the hands of the Japanese during the 2nd World War. A sad yet inspiring piece of story; Bery highly recommend, especially if you're a Malaysian reader
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews