Hardit Singh Malik first arrived in the U.K. in 1908 as a 14-year-old to Balliol College at the University of Oxford and went on to become a member of the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet, he became famous as the "Flying Sikh". But it is as a fighter pilot during 1917-19 that he is best known. “I am truly overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of the exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik, so well. His design for the latest memorial was finalised earlier this month and also received the backing of the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras.

Source: The Hindu March 07, 2021 17:50 UTC