[2] Two months prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Borton was seconded to the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), serving as a pilot on No.

The usage came about because Borton was probably the first pilot to shout the words "Archibald, certainly not" (from a popular music-hall song written by George Robey) as he flew between the exploding German shells.

[2] Lieutenant Maurice Baring who was attached to RFC headquarters during the war, noted in his diary that the term was already popular among the pilots of 5 Squadron by 15 September 1914, and that there seemed to be only a single gun which gave them trouble.

[3] In November Borton was promoted to captain and made a flight commander and posted to a different squadron which resulted in his return to England to take up duties at Brooklands.

In early July, he was still judged to be "not yet out of danger" and it was not until late October 1915 that he returned to duty, being promoted to major and made the officer commanding of No.

[2] Initially based at Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, Middlesex and later on the Western Front, Borton remained in command until the end of July 1916.

By mid December 1916, Borton had received his orders for Palestine, although he was able to spend Christmas and the New Year with his father and other family members at Cheveney.

[5] He took up his new post as officer commanding the Fifth Wing RFC on 5 February 1917,[2] succeeding Lieutenant-Colonel Joubert de la Ferté.

In October 1917, Borton was moved sideways to head the newly created Fortieth Wing[2] which was based in the Middle East.

In late July and early August 1918, Borton along with Major Archibald McLaren flew a Handley Page 0/400 biplane bomber from Manston, England to Alexandria.

[6] The aircraft later played a key role in the Battle of Megiddo when it was used to bomb the Turkish Headquarters and telephone exchange in Al-Fuleh.

However, he was rapidly promoted to group captain and by the end of 1919 he was the officer in charge of administration at the RAF's command headquarters at Halton.