b. 18/04/1900 Pikiin, Jordan. d. 18/10/1985 Pikiin, Jordan.
DATE AND PLACE OF GC ACTION: 05/07/1938 Khirbet, Samra, Jordan.
Yousef Hussein Ali Bey (1900-1985) was born in the small village of Pikiin, Upper Galilee, Jordan on 18th April 1900. He was a Druze Arab, the son of Hussein el Ali and Afifi Asad Salman. Sadly both of his parents died within a year of each other when Ali Bey was a teenager. He was educated at a Russian school during the period of Turkish occupation, until the 4th grade. He joined the British Army in 1921, where he would remain until 1942.
Ali Bey GC
On 5th July 1938, he was attached to the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force when he displayed exceptional leadership and initiative. By his example, when his men were nearly exhausted by heat and under heavy fire, he was an inspiration to further efforts which resulted in the defeat of an enemy gang, capturing prisoners and weapons. In spite of the threat to his life, he continued to produce valuable intelligence. The action took place at Khirbet Samra in Jordan.
He was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal (citation 3rd January 1939), though just over a year later, his medal was exchanged for the new George Cross.
He remained in the British Army until 1942, when he became a Major again with the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force. Whilst in the TJFF, he helped organise the Arabian Bedouin Communities. For this important work he was given the title “Qaid” by the King of Jordan. After the end of the Second World War, he returned to his home village where in 1958, he was to become the first Mayor of the village. He and his wife, Mai Hussain (who died in 2003) had five sons, Kamal, Jamal, Riad, Jehad, Nehad and three daughters Widad, Salwa and Monera.
Ali Bey passed away on 18th October 1985 and was buried in a special room in a cave in Pikiin Village. His GC is privately held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: BUGAYAH CEMETERY, BUGAYAH (PIKIIN), JORDAN.
