Barclay Barrowman

Dr Barclay Barrowman JP, DTM, FCO, FRSH was a British medical doctor who conducted early research on malaria. Barrowman also served as the personal physician to the Sultan of Selangor.

Early life Barrowman was born on 10 March 1896 in the Kelvin area of Glasgow, Scotland. He was the youngest child of John Barrowman (1844–1900), a lime merchant and Helen Agnew (1854-?). His sister was the Scottish suffragette, Janet Barrowman.

Barrowman attended Hillhead High School, and studied at Glasgow University. After graduating from the university, Barrowman joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving in World War I as a surgeon. He served in West Africa, Ireland, India, China and Japan.

In 1930, Barrowman was appointed Personal Physician to the Sultan of Selangor, Working as a malariologist, Barrowman made advances in the treatment and prevention of malaria, writing several articles on the subject. He ran instructional courses on malaria control on behalf of the League of Nations for public health officers from the Far East and Australia. He also worked to improve the housing condition and social welfare of the local labour force. Barrowman served as President of the BMA Malayan Branch and was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Sultan's successor.

When the Japanese invaded Malaya during World War II, Barrowman was on leave in Australia. The interview provides details of the Barrowman family, and discussion of the siblings.