The Phulkian Dynasty of Jind & Indian Air Force – Jind had a connection to IAF like none other. Air Cmde – RHD Singh, Narendra, and JC Verma were married to three sisters, all daughters of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Gajinder Bir Singh, the 4th royal sibling, also served in the IAF.
Air Cmde Narendra (1556) married to Devinderbir Kaur Sahiba, commissioned at Cranwell in 1934, served in NWFP 1937 and WW2, became Air Cmde in India in 1947. Was AOC No 2 Trg Group and PSO at AirHQ, died aged 39 in a Dakota Crash in 1951 as 3rd seniormost IAF officer.
Air Cmde RHD Singh (1558) married to Brijinder Kaur Sahiba, commissioned at Cranwell in 1935, served in NWFP 1937 and WW2, CO AFS Ambala, AOC Training Cmd, PSO at Air HQ, and retired in 1960. IN 1949 he and Narendra were 2 of 5 Air Rank officers in IAF.
Air Cmde JC Verma (1646) married to Taranbir Kaur Sahiba, commissioned in 1940, became the first Flying instructor in IAF, awarded DFC with 6 Sqn, commanded 2 Wing, 5 Wing, AFFC Jodhpur. Was Director Training and IAF’s first Air Attache to the USA.
Gajinder Bir Singh, father of Komal GB Singh (famous DD anchor), joined service as an equipment branch officer in 1947 and left in 1956. In a way, this can be considered the first family of IAF, rendering invaluable service to the nation.
Originally published on Twitter
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