Captain Raj Mohindra, Indian Navy
The Midshipman's Log
Malta · Mediterranean · 1953–1954
Raj Mohindra kept a meticulous diary during his time as a midshipman in the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet. These entries — recorded by ship, port and date across fourteen months — offer a rare window into the formation of a young man who would later reshape Indian education.
A Connection That Would Change Everything
"HMS Gambia was serving as the acting flagship of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, standing in for HMS Glasgow while she was under repairs. The Commander-in-Chief was Lord Mountbatten — the same Lord Mountbatten whose founding association with the United World College movement would inspire Midshipman Raj Mohindra, four decades later, to found the Indian UWC."
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TypeLight Cruiser
BaseMalta — Mediterranean Fleet
Raj's Service3 May 1953 – 25 April 1954
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Acting Flagship of Lord Mountbatten. HMS Gambia served as the acting flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet while HMS Glasgow was under repairs. The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Mountbatten, was a founding patron of the United World College movement — a connection Raj Mohindra would discover decades later on his son Amit's UWC application form.
TypeShore Establishment (Stone Frigate)
LocationMalta
Raj's Service26 April – 10 May 1954
Duration15 days
A "stone frigate" — a Royal Navy shore establishment given a ship's name by naval tradition. HMS Ricasoli was a training establishment in Malta.
TypeShore Establishment — Air Station (Stone Frigate)
LocationHal Far, Malta
Raj's Service11 May – 23 July 1954
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A "stone frigate" — a Royal Navy shore establishment given a ship's name by naval tradition. HMS Falcon was a Fleet Air Arm station at Hal Far, Malta.