Philip Babington

Sir Philip Babington
Born 25 February 1894
Died 25 February 1965(1965-02-25) (aged 71)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
 Royal Air Force
Years of service 1914-1945
Rank Air Marshal
Commands held No. 46 Squadron
No. 141 Squadron
50th Wing
No. 37 Squadron
No. 39 Squadron
No. 56 Squadron
No. 19 Squadron
RAF Sealand
Flying Training Command
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Military Cross
Air Force Cross

Air Marshal Sir Philip Babington KCB MC AFC (25 February 1894 – 25 February 1965) was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Flying Training Command.

RAF career

Babington was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment in 1914 at the start of World War I and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.[1] He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 46 Squadron on the Western Front in 1916 and Officer Commanding No. 141 Squadron at Biggin Hill in January 1918 before taking command of the 50th Wing later that year.[1]

After the War he served as Officer Commanding No. 37 Squadron (later renumbered No. 39 Squadron), Officer Commanding No. 56 Squadron and Officer Commanding No. 19 Squadron.[1] He was made Station Commander at RAF Sealand in 1925, Senior Personnel Staff Officer at Headquarters Inland Area in 1928 and Assistant Commandant at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1931 before becoming Director of Postings at the Air Ministry in 1936.[1]

He served in World War II as Air Member for Personnel from 1940 and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Flying Training Command from 1942 before retiring in 1944.[1]

In retirement he joined a committee to consider the future of the Court-martial system.[2]

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Leslie Gossage
Air Member for Personnel
1940–1942
Succeeded by
Sir Bertine Sutton
Preceded by
Sir William Welsh
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Flying Training Command
1942–1945
Succeeded by
Sir Arthur Coningham