Philip Babington

Sir Philip Babington
Air Marshal Babington, standing seventh from left, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Flying Training Command, with the Air Council, World War II
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	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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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