About this stamp
Major General Dewan Misri Chand was born on October 11, 1907 at Dehradun. He received his early education at the Prince of Wales Military School, Dehradun, and Royal Military College, Sandhurst, (UK). He distinguished himself at Sandhurst, and received a King’s Commission into the Royallndian Army in 1927.
Whilst seeing active service in the Mohmand (NWFP) conflict, he took to flying in bi-planes the British had pressed into service, and was among the few early Indians to obtain a Flying Licence. In 1933, he won the Amateur Flying Trophy in India, and held the trophy for a record 17 years.
In 1934, he participated in the National Air Rally in the USA. In 1936, he created history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Viceroy’s Cup Air Race, the premier Air race of the sub-continent. He Flew a Tiger Moth Airplane, setting for it a world speed record, duly and officially recognized by De Havilland Aircraft Co.
The Viceroy, Lord Willingdon, broke precedent, and drove to the airport, to personally present the first Indian winner, the trophy. General Misri Chand later went to the U.K. to compete in the most prestigious Air Race of the World, the King’s Cup Air Race, in England in 1936-being the first Indian to be allowed to do so.
Invited to attend the Berlin Olympic Games, in 1936 as a State Guest, Gen. Misri Chand was honoured by the Germans by being asked to give an aerobatic display. In 1937, he set a world speed record for the Miles Gemini Aircraft.
Gen. Misri Chand was independent India’s senior most “Gunner”, and whilst commanding the 4th Division, he was awarded his Flying “Wings”, a singular honour for an Army Officer.
He later commanded the 25th Div., and in 1950 became G.O.C. of U.P. Area, and in 1953 G.O.C. of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa area. He commanded a Division during the 1948 Kashmir War. He left the Army in 1953 prematurely, but continued flying. During his extensive world travel, he was always received as the “Indian Flying Ace”. As an honour to his pioneering services to propagate flying, he was admitted as a Member of the prestigious Royal Aero Club, in England-along with JRD Tata, the only other Indian member. He was later admitted as a member of the United Services Club in U.K.
Maj. Gen. Dewan Misri Chand passed away on March 13th, 1970.
