Indra Lal Roy

Born:2 December 1898

Died:22 July 1918

• He was the sole Indian World War I flying ace.
• He was designated as First Indian Fighter Aircraft Pilot.
• While serving in the Royal Flying Corps and its successor, the Royal Air Force, he claimed ten aerial victories; five aircraft destroyed (one shared), and five ‘down out of control’ (one shared) in just over 170 hours flying time.
• He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in September 1918 for his actions during the period of 6–19 July 1918. He was the first Indian to receive the DFC.
• In December 1998, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Indian postal service issued a commemorative stamp in his honour.

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