Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

Early Portrait

An early portrait of MS Pujji in uniform, taken in October 1940, just days after arriving in England. The "VR" badges (for Volunteer Reserve) are prominent in the picture - as is the RAF eagle on the turban - something that was not used by the S

"The First 24"

The First Twenty-Four, before departure for the UK. Interestingly, it seems they are already wearing winter uniforms, while others in the picture seem to be wearing summer uniforms. The 24 were a select few from the 4th Pilots Course so chosen to go to t

56 OTU Training

With Polish pilots at No 56 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge, 1941 - printed from reverse side of negative? The Polish pilots wear their own pilots wings, which are visibly different in shape from the RAF wings

Colleagues from First 24

Pilot Officers Trilochan Singh, Gur Bachan Singh, Pujji and Khanna, taken in the United Kingdom.

Snow

In the snow - it would seem that first exposure to snow was as much a rite of overseas visits then as it is now!

Pujji & Latif

Pilot Officers MM Latif and MS Pujji

First Set of Wheels

"My First Car" - bought in the UK in January 1941

First Car

In his car, in the UK, January 1941

Trilochan Singh

Pilot Officer Trilochan Singh - All set for flying. Trilochan is believed to have returned to India but his fate is unknown. The 1945 Air Force List does not him in service.

Ready for Take Off

Pilot Officer M S Pujji, "Ready for Take Off"

RIP 2: Hukum Chand Mehta

Pilot Officer HC Mehta, originally of Lyallpur, now commemorated at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crematorium. Mehta died in a Hurricane crash on 3rd November 41

Gurbachan Singh

Pilot Officer Gurbachan Singh, originally of Lahore, now remembered at Golders Green crematorium

With G B Singh

With Pilot Officer Gurbachan Singh - Gurbachan commonly referred to as "G B" , was the first casuality among the "24". While flying with 9SFTS in a Miles Master, his aircraft hit a telephone wire at Wiltshire and crashed.

Mehta & Pujji

Hukum Chand Mehta, seen once again, standing next to Pujji.

Sam, Pujji & Mehta

Pilot Officers Anandraj Samuel Gnanamuthu, MS Pujji and HC Mehta. Samuel Gnanamuthu failed to return from a Rhubharb sortie while flying for 32 RAF Squadron.

Flying with "Amrit"

Pujji all set for a sortie over UK. The Hurricane was named "Amrit" after Pujji's fiancee at that time (and later his wife).

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Portrait with Wings

Another early portrait, after the award of wings - note that the wings are RAF wings