Captain MATEEN AHMED ANSARI

The following details are given in the London Gazette of March 18th, 1946: "Awarded the George Cross for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner."

Capt. Ansari, serving in Hong Kong, became a prisoner of the Japanese when they invaded the Island in December 1941. The whole weight of the Japanese attack fell on the Rajputs who suffered severely, losing most of their officers. For a time Capt. Ansari was treated reasonably well until it became know he was related to the ruler of a great Indian State, whereupon they tried to persuade him to renounce his allegiance to the British and assist them in their efforts to spread subversion amongst the Indian ranks in their prison camps. When he refused they resorted to force, and in May 1942 he was thrown into Stanley Jail where he remained until September of that year. Owing to starvation, brutality, including alleged mutilation, he became unable to walk. When Capt. Ansari was eventually returned to the Indian Other Ranks camp he not only continued to proclaim his allegiance to the British but even started an organisation to assist prisoners to escape. In May 1943 he was again thrown into Stanley Jail where he was starved and tortured for a further five months. He was then sentenced to death with over thirty other British, Indian and Chinese, and they were all executed by beheading on 20th October 1943.