DL (17 January 1879 – 29 October 1956) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force
during the first half of the 20th century.
Early life
Tom Ince Webb-Bowen was born on 17 January 1879, the son of Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen (senior) who served as the Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire Police from 1 January 1879 to 1 December 1906.
RAF career
Webb-Bowen was initially commissioned into a militia battalion of the
Bedfordshire Regiment and was appointed the Adjutant of the Madras Volunteer Corps while serving in India.[1] Finding himself unsuited to regimental life, Webb-Bowen learnt to fly in 1912.[1] 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.[1]
In March 1915 Major Webb-Bowen took over command of
William 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 No. 3 Wing RFC from May 1915, and then as Brigadier-General Commanding first II Brigade RFC, then VII Brigade RFC and then II Brigade RFC again.[1] He commanded these brigades in France and Italy.[3]
After the war he was appointed Air Officer Commanding South Eastern Area and then Air Officer Commanding RAF India.[1] He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Group in 1923, Air Officer Commanding Inland Area in 1924[4] and Air Officer Commanding Middle East Command in 1925.[1] 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.[1]
He was recalled during the
Second World War to be Duty Air Commodore in the Operations Room at Headquarters Fighter Command.[1]
