Jones, Barbara Whittingham

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0102 PP MS 65
Held at	: School of Oriental and African Studies   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.soas.ac.uk/Archives/home.html ›
Full title	: Jones, Barbara Whittingham
Date(s)	: Created c1938-1948
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 8 boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Oppenheim | Barbara Whittingham | fl c1938-1948 | née Jones | journalist

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Barbara Whittingham Jones (married name Oppenheim) was a British journalist who spent some time living in Malaya. She became known for her forceful article 'Malaya Betrayed', which appeared in World Review, May 1946, during the Malayan Union controversy. The article caused a sensation throughout Malaya. In September 1947, she also became the first British correspondent to visit Patani, to observe the political oppression of the 700,000 Malays in this part of the Kingdom of Siam. She continued her work as a correspondent for various publications, covering political events in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. These publications included Eastern World, Straits Times, Straits Budget, letters to The Times, and radio broadcasts with Macassar Radio. Her husband was Henry Rolf Oppenheim (1902-1987).

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers, c1938-1948, of Barbara Whittingham-Jones, comprising articles written by her, in addition to her notes and background material, radio broadcast scripts and photographs relating primarily to political events in Malaysia and Indonesia. Articles discuss issues such as the Malay Revolt in Patani, 1945-1948; Malay nationalism; reports on the French colonisation of Siam; the fight for independence in Indonesia, 1945-; the Malino Conference, 1946; political development in South Celebes; the Dutch East India Co.; and Sarawak and its cession to Britain as a Crown Colony, 1946. Photographs include old and post-war Batavia; Japanese war-prisoners in Indonesia; the Malino Conference, 1946; Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir of Indonesia; Dr. H. J. Van Mook, Dutch Lieutenant-Governor of the Indies; and the first anniversary celebrations of the Indonesian Republic at Jogjakarta, 17 August 1946.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
In addition to English, some material is in French and Dutch.

System of arrangement:

Articles and notes, and photographs, have been grouped by event or theme.

Conditions governing access:

Unrestricted.

Conditions governing reproduction:

No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.

Finding aids:

Unpublished handlist.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Formerly MS 145982.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Donated to SOAS Library in 1961.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:

Date(s) of descriptions:
15 May 2000