Video summary
19 year-old Indra Lal Roy broke through the colour bar to become a true war hero.
He was from Calcutta and had attended public school in England and during the war he wanted to join the Royal Flying Corps but it was difficult for him to join up.
Asian and Black people, anyone who was "not from pure European stock", were not able to become British Officers and therefore not encouraged to join the air force.
But during the war, the number of casualties forced a change in rules.
In 1918, he went to the front line in France and in 13 days in July 1918, he shot down 10 German aircraft in his SE5A, before he was killed in a dogfight.
He was buried with full military honours.
This clip is from the series The World's War.
Teacher Notes
This could be used by students to build on their literacy and evidence selection skills.
They could be encouraged to write an obituary for Indra Lal Roy, reflecting his military achievements and his personal achievements as a man who overcame institutional prejudice.
These films are suitable for teaching History at GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at National 5 in Scotland.
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