In this photo we see, from left to right, Raoraja Abhey Singh, ADC to the Maharaja, the maharaja’s two sons, the Maharaja of Jaipur and a Traffic Assistant of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.
The Maharaja is in his uniform, as he served in the British Indian Army during WW2. He was the first to offer his state forces for service in WW2, and also personally served in the Middle Eastern Theatre with the British Household Cavalry and on the Eastern Front. He was in England on this occasion for the London Victory Day celebrations, where he will receive the honorary rank of Major General. [Source]
Another interesting aspect about this photo is the presence of the employee from the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). This implies that the flying boat used was likely the BOAC’s flying boat service from Calcutta to London.
The massive aircraft had two decks. The upper deck was for the flight crew and postal mail., and the lower deck had luxury passenger accommodations. The route consisted of connecting England with the faraway locations of the British Empire: South Africa, India, Singapore, and Australia. Flying along the water bodies.
Source: past-india.com (You can also read a lot more about this extremely interesting mode of transport on this website)
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Source
Source Caption:
The maharaja of Jaipur accompanied by his two sons Kumur Bhowanisinoh and Kumar Jaisingh arrived by flying boat from India at Poole Dorset to take part in the June 8th London Victory celebrations. Photo shows on the launch as they left the flying boat at Poole are Left to right: Raoraja Abhey Singh, ADC to the maharaja, the maharaja’s two sons, and the maharaja of Jaipur also in the picture is a girl Traffic Assistant of the British Overseas Airways Corporation. 17 May 1946
Note: the original caption has misspelled Bhawani Singh as Bhowanisinoh.
