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Philip Babington Edit Profile

officer

Air Marshal Sir Philip Babington, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Military Cross, AFC was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Flying Training Command.

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. He was appointed Officer Commanding Number. 46 Squadron on the Western Front in 1916 and Officer Commanding Number.

141 Squadron at Biggin Hill in January 1918 before taking command of the 50th Wing later that year.

After the War he served as Officer Commanding Number. 37 Squadron (later renumbered Number 39 Squadron), Officer Commanding Number.

56 Squadron and Officer Commanding Number. 19 Squadron. He was made Station Commander at Royal Air Force 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.

He served in World 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.

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