In August 1942, a group of gunners from the Ceylon Garrison Artillery stationed on Horsburgh Island, part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, initiated a mutiny in response to their harsh conditions and perceived neglect by their superiors. Facing a challenging deployment, these soldiers expressed significant dissatisfaction with their living conditions, which included inadequate supplies, poor food, and a sense of isolation. The unrest escalated as the soldiers organized their dissent, reflecting wider discontent among military personnel during World War II, particularly in isolated or less strategically valued postings. The rebellion was met with an immediate and decisive response from military authorities.The British military leadership, valuing discipline and order, moved quickly to suppress the uprising. In a display of authority, the leaders conducted a swift trial and ultimately executed three of the mutineers, which not only served as an example to deter future insubordination but also highlighted the rigid structures of military law and the severe consequences of mutiny. This incident was unique in that those executed were the only members of the British Commonwealth forces to be sentenced to death for mutiny during the conflict. The mutiny and its aftermath illustrate the complex interplay of military discipline, morale, and the harsh realities faced by soldiers during the Second World War, especially in lesser-known theatres of combat.