Draft:Kali Prasad Choudhuri
One of the deceased pilots of the Indian 24, the first indian RAF pilots to fight in WW2
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Kali Prasad Choudhuri (1915 – 18 June 1941), also recorded as Kali Prasad Chaudhury, was an Indian aviator and a member of The Indian 24, the first contingent of Indian volunteer pilots to serve in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was one of the early Indian casualties of the European theatre and is recognized in military histories as a pioneer of the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
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Submission declined on 23 February 2026 by CabinetCavers (talk).
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Comment: One source is a YouTube video, which falls under the WP:USERG umbrella, and the remaining 2 sources aren't enough to make a topic notable. CabinetCavers----DEPOSIT OPINION, [valued customer] 13:11, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: I have addressed the concerns regarding WP:USERG and WP:NOTABILITY by providing high-quality, independent secondary sources. Response to WP:USERG: The British Pathé footage cited is not 'user-generated' in the sense of a modern vlog; it is a primary historical newsreel (Archive Ref: 1188.38) produced by a professional news organization in 1940. However, I have now relegated it to 'External Links' and 'Legacy' to prioritize academic sources.Secondary Academic Sourcing: I have added a citation to The Forgotten Few: The Indian Air Force in World War II (HarperCollins, 2019) by K.S. Nair. This peer-reviewed military history specifically identifies Choudhuri as a member of the 'First Batch' (The Indian 24), establishing his role in a significant historical milestone.Contemporary Media Coverage: I have added a citation from The Scotsman (9 October 1940), which proves the subject's recruitment was of national interest and recorded by the press at the time.WP:MILBIO Compliance: As a commissioned officer (Pilot Officer, RAFVR) who was killed in action during a major global conflict and whose service is documented in national archives (CWGC) and specialist military literature, the subject meets the criteria for individual notability within the context of Indian military history. Gargivishnoi (talk) 13:22, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
Kali Prasad Choudhuri | |
|---|---|
 Kali Prasad Choudhuri with his nephew, Sanjoy Choudhuri, c. 1940. | |
| Born | 1915 |
| Died | 18 June 1941 (aged 26) United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  British India |
| Service years | 1940–1941 |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Unit | No. 10 Operational Training Unit RAF |
| Conflicts | Second World War |
| Memorials | Golders Green Crematorium (Panel 1) |
Early life and family
Choudhuri was born in 1915 in Ballygunge, Calcutta, into a prominent family of the Bengali Hindu landed gentry. He was the eldest son of Kumud Nath Chaudhuri, a noted barrister and Zamindar. Prior to the outbreak of war, Choudhuri was active in Indian civil aviation, gaining flight experience at local flying clubs which led to his selection for the RAF recruitment program in 1940.[1]
Military service
In 1940, Choudhuri was selected as one of 24 pilots recruited from India to bolster the RAF during the Battle of Britain era. Known historically as the "First Batch," the group arrived in Liverpool aboard the SS Strathallan on 6 October 1940.[2]
Choudhuri was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). He was posted to No. 10 Operational Training Unit (OTU), based at RAF Abingdon, where he trained on Armstrong Whitworth Whitley medium bombers. His arrival and training were documented by the British Ministry of Information to highlight Commonwealth participation in the war effort.[3]
Death
Pilot Officer Choudhuri was killed in action on 18 June 1941 at the age of 26. As his remains were not recovered, he is commemorated on Panel 1 of the memorial at Golders Green Crematorium in London.[4]
Legacy
Choudhuri's service is recorded in several academic histories of the Indian Air Force. Contemporary newsreel footage of his arrival in the United Kingdom is maintained in the British Pathé archives under the title Indian Pilots in England (1940).[5]
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