Indra Lal Roy

Indra Lal ("Laddie") Roy, DFC (2 December 1898-22 July 1918) was the first (and only) Indian flying ace. He served in the First World War with the Royal Flying Corps and its successor, the Royal Air Force.

Related Topics:
DFC - 2 December - 1898 - 22 July - 1918 - India - Flying ace - First World War - Royal Flying Corps - Royal Air Force

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The son of P. L. and Lolta Roy, he was born on 2 December 1898 in Calcutta, India. When World War I broke out, Roy was attending St Paul's School, West Kensington in London, England.

Related Topics:
2 December - 1898 - Calcutta - India - St Paul's School - Kensington - London - England

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Five months after turning 18, in April 1917, he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 5 July. After training and gunnery practise at Vendome and Turnberry, he joined No. 56 Squadron on 30 October 1917. Roy was part of "A" Flight, commanded by flying ace Captain Richard Maybery.

Related Topics:
1917 - Second Lieutenant - 5 July - Vendome - Turnberry - No. 56 Squadron - 30 October - Richard Maybery

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Two months later, Roy was injured after he crash-landed his S.E.5a fighter on 6 December. While recovering, Roy made numerous sketches of aircraft -- many still exist. Though concerns were still raised that he was medically unfit, Roy was successful in returning to duty after he completed his period of recuperation. He transferred to Captain George McElroy's No. 40 Squadron in June 1918.

Related Topics:
S.E.5a - 6 December - George McElroy - No. 40 Squadron - 1918

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On his return to active service, Roy achieved 10 victories (two shared) in thirteen days. His first victory was a Hannover C over Drocourt on 6 July. This was followed by three victories in the space of 4 hours on 8 July (two Hannover Cs and a Fokker D.VII); two on 13 July (a Hannover C and Pfalz D.III); two on 15 July (two Fokker D.VIIs); and one on 18 July (a DFW C.V). Roy's final victory came the following day when he shot down a Hannover C over Cagnicourt.

Related Topics:
Hannover C - Drocourt - 6 July - July - Fokker D.VII - 13 July - Pfalz D.III - 15 July - 18 July - DFW C.V - Cagnicourt

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He was killed over Carvin on 22 July 1918 in a dog fight with Fokker D.VIIs of Jasta 29. Roy was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in September 1918 for his actions during the period of 6-19 July. He is buried at Estevelles Communal Cemetery.

Related Topics:
Carvin - Dog fight - Fokker D.VII - Jasta 29 - 6 - 19 July - Estevelles

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