Mateen Ahmed Ansari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 December 1916 |
| Died | 29 October 1943 (aged 26) |
| Allegiance | British India |
| Branch | British Indian Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 7thRajput Regiment |
| Awards |  George Cross |
CaptainMateen Ahmed AnsariGC (15 December 1916[1] – 29 October 1943) of the 5th Battalion,7th Rajput Regiment, in theIndian Army during World War II, and member of theBritish Army Aid Group.[2] He was awarded theGeorge Crossposthumously. The decoration, the highestBritish (andCommonwealth) award for bravery out of combat, was announced in a supplement to theLondon Gazette of 16 April 1946[3] as being awarded for the 'most conspicuous gallantry.'
He was taken prisoner whenJapan occupiedHong Kong in December 1941 after theBattle of Hong Kong. After the Japanese discovered that he was related to the ruler of one of thePrincely States they demanded that he renounce his allegiance to the British and foment discontent in the ranks of Indian prisoners in the prison camps.[4][5] He refused and was thrown into the notoriousStanley Jail in May 1942 where he was starved and brutalised. And also held inMa Tau Chung Camp, where he expended efforts to counter Japanese recruiting work for the collaborationistIndian National Army.[6] When he remained firm in his allegiance to the British on his return to the prison camps he was again incarcerated in Stanley Jail where he was starved and tortured for five months. He was then returned to the original camp, where he continued in his allegiance to the British, and even helped to organise escape attempts by other prisoners.[5] He was sentenced to death, with over thirty other British, Chinese and Indian prisoners and beheaded on 29 October 1943.[5] He is buried inStanley Military Cemetery in Hong Kong.[7]
