Margaret Dryburgh
Encyclopedia
Margaret Dryburgh was born in Sunderland, England and trained as a teacher. She later became a missionary in Singapore
, where she was captured in the Second World War
. The plight of Dryburgh and her fellow inmates such as Betty Jeffrey
in a Japan
ese prisoner of war
camp inspired the 1996 film Paradise Road. Today, her memory lives on through the song she penned in camp, The Captives Hymn.
, Sunderland, UK in 1890. She was the eldest child of Reverend William Dryburgh, minister of St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, and his wife, Elizabeth Webster. The family moved to Swalwell
, near Gateshead
, when Dryburgh was a baby, where her father worked as minister at Swalwell
Presbyterian Church from 1895. When he retired in 1906, the family returned to Sunderland, where their local church was St George’s in Stockton Road.
Dryburgh trained as a teacher
at King’s College, Newcastle
, after leaving school, later achieving a BA degree from Durham University
with distinction in Latin
and Education
. She then joined the staff of Ryhope
Grammar School
in 1911, where she taught history
, French
and Latin
for the next six years. She left teaching, however, to become a Presbyterian missionary
in 1917, qualifying as a nursing sister to extend her skills. It is believed it was the influence of her mother, a leading light in the Women’s Missionary Association, which persuaded her to volunteer for this role.
came in 1919, when she was sent to Shantou
in China
. Quite by chance, the mission was supported by her family church of St George’s, and she was affectionately "adopted" by the Sunderland congregation as “our missionary.” It was a critical time in China’s history, with a growth in anti-foreign feeling, but Dryburgh managed to learn the Shantou dialect in two years and then started work as a teacher at the Sok Tek Girls’ School.
Dryburgh moved on to Singapore
some years later, where she was appointed principal of the Choon Goan School
in 1934. Such was her dedication to the role that, within a very short time, she raised standards so much that it was officially recognised as a secondary school and received Government aid. Dryburgh spent her time outside the classroom helping in the local community. As a skilled musician
, she organised the training of choir
s and was a stalwart of the Women’s Fellowship. Fund-raising concerts and charity events in aid of the school were also arranged by Dryburgh, as well as picnic
s for local children. Former pupils later recalled how she “frequently paid for milk for undernourished pupils” and encouraged the girls to become teachers.
fell in 1942, Dryburgh tried to escape from the advancing Japan
ese forces by ship, but was captured with other missionaries. The women were taken to a Japanese internment camp at Sumatra
, where death from disease
and malnutrition
was common. Despite the squalid conditions, Dryburgh retained her indomitable British Bulldog
spirit throughout, as well as her strong Christian
faith.
Within days of arriving at the camp, Dryburgh started arranging church services for her fellow inmates, as well as a Glee Club
, hymn singing, writing classes and poetry
sessions. She also ran a short story club for the prisoners and produced a monthly camp magazine which included articles on cookery, a children's section and a crossword puzzle
.
It is for her musical work in the camp, however, which Dryburgh is best remembered. After joining forces with fellow musician, Norah Chambers, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music
in London, the pair formed a camp choir. Dryburgh wrote down pages of music from memory, from baroque
to contemporary, for the Voice Orchestra to perform, as well as pieces of her own light classical compositions. The music was arranged in four parts, which were hummed by the women to give the effect of an orchestra
, and included pieces by Handel
, Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven. Even the Japanese soldiers were said to be amazed at what they heard, inviting themselves to the concerts. The Captives Hymn was one the pieces written by Dryburgh, which was sung each Sunday during church services.
The concerts continued throughout 1944 and into 1945. The chorus ceased to function, however, once over half of the chorus had died. Constant hunger and disease eventually took their toll on Dryburgh, who died on April 21, 1945, a few days after the women were transferred to a camp at Loebok Linggau. She had become ill on the three-day journey from Bangka Island
camp, and eventually succumbed to dysentery
. The remaining inmates buried Dryburgh among some rubber trees at Belau camp on Sumatra
two days later. She was later reburied in the Dutch War Grave Cemetery in Java
in 1951.
. The film Paradise Road, made in 1996, told the story of life at the camp, with the role of Dryburgh played by Pauline Collins
. The Captives Hymn was used in the film during a burial scene. Dryburgh’s name was changed to Margaret Drummond in the film.
Father, in captivity,
We would lift our prayers to Thee,
Keep us ever in Thy love,
Grant that daily we may prove
Those who place their trust in Thee
More than conquerors may be.
Give us patience to endure.
Keep our hearts serene and pure,
Grant us courage, charity,
Greater faith, humility,
Readiness to own Thy will,
Be we free or captives still.
For our country we would pray,
In this hour be Thou her stay,
Pride and sinfulness forgive,
Teach her by Thy laws to live,
By Thy grace may all men see
That true greatness comes from Thee.
For our loved ones we would pray,
Be their guardian night and day,
From all danger keep them free,
Banish all anxiety,
May they trust us to Thy care,
Know that Thou our pains dost share.
May the day of freedom dawn,
Peace and justice be reborn,
Grant that nations loving Thee
O'er the world may brothers be,
Cleansed by suffering, know rebirth,
See Thy kingdom come on earth.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, where she was captured in the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The plight of Dryburgh and her fellow inmates such as Betty Jeffrey
Betty Jeffrey
Agnes Betty Jeffrey, OAM was a nurse in the 2/10th Australian General Hospital during World War II; she was taken captive by the Japanese Imperial Army and interned in the Dutch East Indies...
in a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp inspired the 1996 film Paradise Road. Today, her memory lives on through the song she penned in camp, The Captives Hymn.
Early life
Margaret Dryburgh was born in Nelson Street, MonkwearmouthMonkwearmouth
Monkwearmouth is an area of Sunderland located at the north side of the mouth of the River Wear. It was one of the three original settlements on the banks of the River Wear along with Bishopwearmouth and Sunderland, the area now known as the East End. It includes the area around St. Peter's Church...
, Sunderland, UK in 1890. She was the eldest child of Reverend William Dryburgh, minister of St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, and his wife, Elizabeth Webster. The family moved to Swalwell
Swalwell
Swalwell is a village in Tyne and Wear, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, in the United Kingdom.-History:On 27 August 1640, an encampment of soldiers was gathered in the fields north of Whickham church on the slope down to Swalwell. This was part of the Royalist army of King Charles I preparing to...
, near Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, when Dryburgh was a baby, where her father worked as minister at Swalwell
Swalwell
Swalwell is a village in Tyne and Wear, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, in the United Kingdom.-History:On 27 August 1640, an encampment of soldiers was gathered in the fields north of Whickham church on the slope down to Swalwell. This was part of the Royalist army of King Charles I preparing to...
Presbyterian Church from 1895. When he retired in 1906, the family returned to Sunderland, where their local church was St George’s in Stockton Road.
Dryburgh trained as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
at King’s College, Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, after leaving school, later achieving a BA degree from Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
with distinction in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. She then joined the staff of Ryhope
Ryhope
Ryhope is a coastal village along the southern boundary of the City of Sunderland, in Tyne and Wear, North East England. With a population of approximately 14,000, Ryhope is 2.9 miles to the centre of Sunderland, 2.8 miles to the centre of Seaham, and 1 .2 miles from the main A19.The older village...
Grammar School
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in 1911, where she taught history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for the next six years. She left teaching, however, to become a Presbyterian missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in 1917, qualifying as a nursing sister to extend her skills. It is believed it was the influence of her mother, a leading light in the Women’s Missionary Association, which persuaded her to volunteer for this role.
Life as a missionary
Dryburgh’s first posting as a missionaryMissionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
came in 1919, when she was sent to Shantou
Shantou
Shantou , historically known as Swatow or Suátao, is a prefecture-level city on the eastern coast of Guangdong province, People's Republic of China, with a total population of 5,391,028 as of 2010 and an administrative area of...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Quite by chance, the mission was supported by her family church of St George’s, and she was affectionately "adopted" by the Sunderland congregation as “our missionary.” It was a critical time in China’s history, with a growth in anti-foreign feeling, but Dryburgh managed to learn the Shantou dialect in two years and then started work as a teacher at the Sok Tek Girls’ School.
Dryburgh moved on to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
some years later, where she was appointed principal of the Choon Goan School
Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School is a co-educational government-aided secondary school located in Bishan St 13, Singapore.-Brief history:* 1924 - Two Christian Ministers founded Katong Girls' School...
in 1934. Such was her dedication to the role that, within a very short time, she raised standards so much that it was officially recognised as a secondary school and received Government aid. Dryburgh spent her time outside the classroom helping in the local community. As a skilled musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, she organised the training of choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s and was a stalwart of the Women’s Fellowship. Fund-raising concerts and charity events in aid of the school were also arranged by Dryburgh, as well as picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
s for local children. Former pupils later recalled how she “frequently paid for milk for undernourished pupils” and encouraged the girls to become teachers.
Second World War
The outbreak of the Second World War put an end to her missionary work. When SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
fell in 1942, Dryburgh tried to escape from the advancing Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese forces by ship, but was captured with other missionaries. The women were taken to a Japanese internment camp at Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
, where death from disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
and malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
was common. Despite the squalid conditions, Dryburgh retained her indomitable British Bulldog
British Bulldog
British Bulldog may refer to:* British Bulldog, an alternative name for the Bulldog.* The British Bulldog revolver, a type of revolver popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
spirit throughout, as well as her strong Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith.
Within days of arriving at the camp, Dryburgh started arranging church services for her fellow inmates, as well as a Glee Club
Glee club
A glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...
, hymn singing, writing classes and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
sessions. She also ran a short story club for the prisoners and produced a monthly camp magazine which included articles on cookery, a children's section and a crossword puzzle
Crossword Puzzle
For the common puzzle, see CrosswordCrossword Puzzle was the second to last album made by The Partridge Family and was not one of the most popular albums. It was released in 1973 and did not produce a U.S. single. This album was finally released on CD in 2003 on Arista's BMG Heritage label...
.
It is for her musical work in the camp, however, which Dryburgh is best remembered. After joining forces with fellow musician, Norah Chambers, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
in London, the pair formed a camp choir. Dryburgh wrote down pages of music from memory, from baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
to contemporary, for the Voice Orchestra to perform, as well as pieces of her own light classical compositions. The music was arranged in four parts, which were hummed by the women to give the effect of an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and included pieces by Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
, Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven. Even the Japanese soldiers were said to be amazed at what they heard, inviting themselves to the concerts. The Captives Hymn was one the pieces written by Dryburgh, which was sung each Sunday during church services.
The concerts continued throughout 1944 and into 1945. The chorus ceased to function, however, once over half of the chorus had died. Constant hunger and disease eventually took their toll on Dryburgh, who died on April 21, 1945, a few days after the women were transferred to a camp at Loebok Linggau. She had become ill on the three-day journey from Bangka Island
Bangka Island
Bangka is an island lying east of Sumatra, Indonesia. Population 626,955. Area: c.4,600 sq mi .There is an additional small island named Pulau Bangka in northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.-Geography:...
camp, and eventually succumbed to dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
. The remaining inmates buried Dryburgh among some rubber trees at Belau camp on Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
two days later. She was later reburied in the Dutch War Grave Cemetery in Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
in 1951.
Legacy
Today Dryburgh’s music lives on through The Captives Hymn and her other compositions, which are still performed by women’s choirs. A documentary about camp life, Song of Survival, was shown on Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. The film Paradise Road, made in 1996, told the story of life at the camp, with the role of Dryburgh played by Pauline Collins
Pauline Collins
Pauline Collins, OBE is an English actress of the stage, television, and film. She first came to prominence portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah during the 1970s. She later drew acclaim for playing the title role in the play Shirley Valentine for which...
. The Captives Hymn was used in the film during a burial scene. Dryburgh’s name was changed to Margaret Drummond in the film.
Captives Hymn
The Captives Hymn by Margaret DryburghFather, in captivity,
We would lift our prayers to Thee,
Keep us ever in Thy love,
Grant that daily we may prove
Those who place their trust in Thee
More than conquerors may be.
Give us patience to endure.
Keep our hearts serene and pure,
Grant us courage, charity,
Greater faith, humility,
Readiness to own Thy will,
Be we free or captives still.
For our country we would pray,
In this hour be Thou her stay,
Pride and sinfulness forgive,
Teach her by Thy laws to live,
By Thy grace may all men see
That true greatness comes from Thee.
For our loved ones we would pray,
Be their guardian night and day,
From all danger keep them free,
Banish all anxiety,
May they trust us to Thy care,
Know that Thou our pains dost share.
May the day of freedom dawn,
Peace and justice be reborn,
Grant that nations loving Thee
O'er the world may brothers be,
Cleansed by suffering, know rebirth,
See Thy kingdom come on earth.