b. 01/01/1900 Omdurman, Sudan. d. 25/05/1973 Omdurman, Sudan.
DATE AND PLACE OF GC ACTION: 04/01/1936 Omdurman, Sudan.
El Amin Effendi Hemeida (?-1973) was it is believed, born in the Sudan, possibly in 1900. Little is known about his early and subsequent life surrounding his action which earned him the Empire Gallantry Medal. It is known that he joined the Sudan Defence Force and had risen to the rank of El Yuzbashi by the time of the incident in Omdurman on the morning of 4th January 1936.
El Amin Effendi Hemeida GC
On that particular day, he was in charge of a party engaged in making explosive charges when a charge being assembled in another part of the room accidently exploded, killing one NCO and injuring a Native Officer and 8 NCO’s. The building was extensively damaged, and fire broke out in several places. Hemeida, although uninjured, was badly shaken and dazed. On recovering, and fully realising the likelihood of further explosions, he immediately went to the assistance of the injured, and then took active steps to extinguish the fires and remove the unharmed changes to a place of safety. His brave actions was instrumental in saving the life of one man among the injured and prevented further explosions.
For his actions, he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Military Division on 19th June 1936, and just over four years later, following the creation of the George Cross, he was automatically entitled to the new award. Hemeida served during World War II, and is believed he served in the Colonial Forces as well as the Police. On 26th May 1953, he was awarded the Honorary MBE, which was presented to him by the Governor General of Sudan on 26th February 1954.
Hemeida died on 25th May 1973 in the Sudan and it is believed he was cremated. His medals including the GC, MBE, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star, 1953 QEII Coronation Medals and possibly other campaign medals, are held by the Hemeida family.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: WITH RECIPIENT’S FAMILY.
BURIAL PLACE: UNKNOWN – PROBABLY CREMATED.