Career
Webb-Bowen was initially commissioned into a militia battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, later got a regular army commission into the Bedfordshire Regiment and was appointed the Adjutant of the Madras Volunteer Corps while serving in India. Finding himself unsuited to regimental life, Webb-Bowen learnt to fly in 1912. After several weeks as a Royal Flying Corps flight commander, he was posted to the Central Flying School as an instructor where he later served as the Assistant Commandant.
In March 1915 Major Webb-Bowen took over command of II (Air Corps) Squadron whilst the squadron was located at Merville, France.
During his short tenure there were two significant events. Firstly, because of the difficulty suffered by ground troops in communicating their advance to higher command, a technique was developed whereby troops on the ground could convey their position by laying strips of white cloth on the ground.
(These strips are referred to as "Popham strips" in a novel, and Webb-Bowen"s predecessor was Robert Brooke-Popham) Aircraft from II(Air Corps) Sqn would then relay by William Thomas the co-ordinates noted. The second and more historically significant event was the award of the first Victoria Cross awarded for bravery in the air, to Lieutenant
Rhodes-Moorhouse. Major Webb-Bowen handed over command to Major Becke in June 1915 following his posting to Home Establishment.
He continued his war service commanding Number. 3 Wing Reconstruction Finance Corporation from May 1915, and then as Brigadier-General Commanding first II Brigade Reconstruction Finance Corporation, then VII Brigade Reconstruction Finance Corporation and then II Brigade Reconstruction Finance Corporation again. He commanded these brigades in France and Italy.
After the War he was appointed Air Officer Commanding South Eastern Area and then Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force India.
He was appointed Air Officer Commanding Number. 3 Group in 1923, Air Officer Commanding Inland Area in 1924 and Air Officer Commanding Middle East Command in 1925.
He then went on to be Air Member for Personnel in 1930 and Air Officer Commanding Wessex Bombing Area in 1931 before retiring on 26 September 1933. He was recalled during World World War II to be Duty Air Commodore in the Operations Room at Headquarters Fighter Command.