Mamidala Ankayya was born on 1 July 1915 in Kaikaluru, Krishna district (now Eluru district), to Shri Nagayya. Ankayya completed his education in Kaikaluru before his family moved to Machilipatnam. In 1937, Ankayya began his career in the postal service becoming a postman and joining the Singapore Base Post Office in October 1941. After the British colonial forces were defeated by Japan in World War-II, he was captured and became a Japanese prisoner of war in February 1942.
Following his imprisonment, Ankayya joined the Indian independence movement enlisting in the army under Subhas Chandra Bose. He served in the Azad Hind Fauj under General Mohan Singh, where he was promoted from Lance Naik to Naik and worked as an activist and later as a constable and clerk for a guerrilla regiment. However, as Japan was defeated, Ankayya was taken prisoner by the United States and held captive from 15 September 1945 to 6 January 1946.
Due to his deteriorating health, including poor eyesight and hearing, Mamidala Ankayya was repatriated to India and detained in Bangalore from 13 January 1946 to September 1946. Despite the harsh conditions, he never saw his family during this period. After his release, Ankayya was stationed at the Record Office of the Military Post Office in Nagpur before being discharged on 25 October 1946. He returned to work as a postman in April 1947 and dedicated his later years to guiding and inspiring the youth.
Details mentioned in the book: "History of Freedom Struggle", IV Part, page-07, Vijayawada, published by Krishna District Freedom Fighters Committee, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Details mentioned in the book: "History of Freedom Struggle", IV Part, page-07, Vijayawada, published by Krishna District Freedom Fighters Committee, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Source: Somisetty Sarala, Contributor for CCRT.