GRAVESEND'S hero Indian Second World War pilot Mahinder Singh Pujji has died.

Mr Pujji passed away on Saturday night, aged 92. He had suffered a stroke about 10 days before.

Father-of-three Mr Pujji joined the RAF as a 22-year-old after spotting an advert in an Indian newspaper appealing for pilots in 1940.

He flew 25 different types of aircraft, including Spitfires, Hurricanes and Tomahawks, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving 300 American soldiers from Japanese troops in the Burmese jungle.

Mr Pujji's military achievements led him to meet Winston Churchill, Gandhi, King Farouk of Egypt, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

He won a gold medal for gliding, was a motor racing champion, a driving instructor and an air traffic controller at Heathrow.

Mr Pujji had dedicated his twilight years to helping people in need and was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by Gravesham council in 2008.

The squadron leader's memories are depicted in his colourful biography For King and Another Country, which was released earlier this year.