Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 29 March , 2003 Share Posted 29 March , 2003 Can anyone point me in the direction of further information of this officer who was one of the few Indian officers in the RFC/RAF. The infoormation I have so far is that he served in 56 & 40 Squadrons, was KiA on 22July 1918 and was awarded the DFC in September 1918 for 'the destruction of 10 enemy planes'. Thanks, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 29 March , 2003 Share Posted 29 March , 2003 A small number of Indian nationals were commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps (from 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force) and served on the Western and Italian Fronts. One such volunteer was Lieutenant Indra Lal ‘Laddie’ Roy, who served as a fighter pilot with Nos 56 and 40 Squadrons on the Western Front during 1917-18. Prior to his death in action on 22 July 1918, Lieutenant Roy was involved in the destruction of ten enemy aircraft, and became India’s first fighter ‘ace’. In recognition of his gallantry and skill, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in September 1918. He flew an Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 29 March , 2003 Share Posted 29 March , 2003 Ian, Go to "The Aerodrome" website and then to "Medals" and "DFC". You will find some interesting info on Lt Roy. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 29 March , 2003 Share Posted 29 March , 2003 Bob, Many thanks for that - I will. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 30 March , 2003 Share Posted 30 March , 2003 Lt Roy was flying S.E.5a serial number B180 of 40 Sqn when he was KIA on 22.07.18 Age 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 30 March , 2003 Share Posted 30 March , 2003 "Laddie" was born in Calcutta but was at school in England when war broke out.He joined the RFC in July 1917 and was posted to 56 Squadron on 30th October,but on 6th November,he crashed his SE 5A B567 and was sent back to England for further training.After some additional flying,he waspronounced unfit by the medical staff,a decision he managed to get reversed,and he returned to France on 19th June 1918,joining George McElroy's flight in 40 Squadron.Between 6th and 19th July,he claimed 10 victories,but was killed in a fight with Fokker DVII's of Jasta 29 on the 22nd,his SE 5A (B180) going down in flames over Carvin at 08:50. His total flying time was 170 hours and 15 minutes. (info. from "Above the Trenches" by C.Shores (!), N.Franks and R.Guest) Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 31 March , 2003 Share Posted 31 March , 2003 Wow! Cheers Dave Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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