Mohinder Singh Wadalia
Indian military personnel
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Lieutenant-General Mohinder Singh Wadalia (30 November 1908 – 20 May 2001) was an Indian Army general.[2]
British India (1929–1947) 
India (1947–1965)
British Indian Army
Indian ArmyMohinder Singh Wadalia | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 November 1908[1] |
| Died | 20 May 2001 (aged 92) |
| Allegiance | British India (1929–1947) India (1947–1965) |
Branch | British Indian Army Indian Army |
Service years | 1929–1965 |
Rank |  Lieutenant-General |
| Service number | AI-947 |
| Unit | Hyderabad Regiment 16th Light Cavalry |
| Commands | Commandant of the Indian Military Academy |
Conflicts | |
| Awards | Mentioned in dispatches |
Career
A King's Commissioned Indian Officer (KCIO), Wadalia was educated at Aitchison College and the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, Dehra Dun.[3] He subsequently attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the British Indian Army on 31 January 1929, passing out fifth in the order of merit from 37 successful cadets.[4][5] He was formally appointed to the Indian Army as an officer with the 4/19 Hyderabad Regiment (now 4 Kumaon Regiment) on 13 April 1930.[6] On 1 March 1934, he transferred to the 16th Light Cavalry and was appointed a squadron officer.[7] He was appointed the adjutant on 1 January 1937.[8]
During the Second World War, Wadalia was appointed a GSO 3 in the Directorate of Military Training on 27 June 1941, under Brigadier Francis Tuker.[9] Advanced to a GSO 2 on 26 September and promoted temporary major in December,[10] Wadalia was transferred to the Directorate of Armoured Fighting Vehicles on 26 May 1943.[11] He served on the headquarters staff in the Persia-Iraq theatre and was mentioned in dispatches.[3][12] On 13 August 1944, he was appointed a GSO 1 on the staff, with the acting rank of lieutenant-colonel.[13] He was promoted substantive major (temporary lieutenant-colonel) on 31 January 1946.[14] On 23 December 1949, he was promoted temporary brigadier and given command of a brigade.[15]
On 21 June 1951, Wadalia was appointed an area commander with the local rank of major general.[16] On 1 September, he was appointed Commandant of the National Defence Academy with the acting rank of major-general.[17] He was the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff between 27 January 1959 and 15 November 1964.[18]
Dates of rank
| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
|---|---|---|---|
_OF-1a.svg){kind=small} | Second Lieutenant | British Indian Army | 31 January 1929 |
_OF-1b.svg){kind=small} | Lieutenant | British Indian Army | 30 April 1931[19] |
_OF-2.svg){kind=small} | Captain | British Indian Army | 31 January 1938[20] |
_OF-3.svg){kind=small} | Major | British Indian Army | 26 September 1941 (acting)[1] 26 December 1941 (temporary)[1] 31 January 1946 (substantive)[14] |
_OF-4.svg){kind=small} | Lieutenant-Colonel | British Indian Army | 13 August 1944 (acting)[1] 31 January 1946 (temporary)[14] |
| Major | Indian Army | 15 August 1947[note 1][21] |
_OF-5.svg){kind=small} | Colonel | Indian Army | |
_OF-6.svg){kind=small} | Brigadier | Indian Army | 1948 (acting) 23 December 1949 (temporary)[15][note 1] |
 | Lieutenant-Colonel | Indian Army | 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[21] |
 | Brigadier | Indian Army | 31 January 1950 (substantive)[22] |
 | Major General | Indian Army | 21 June 1951 (local)[16] 1 September 1951 (acting)[17] |
| Lieutenant-General | Indian Army | |
Notes
- Upon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a result, the rank insignia of the British Army, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."