[2] Babington was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment in 1914 at the start of the First World War and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.

46 Squadron on the Western Front in July 1916 until December 1917, he was also Station Commander RFC Suttons Farm in August 1917 when 46 Squadron were rotated from frontline operations to defend London from aerial attack.

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

[1] 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.

[1] In retirement he joined a committee to consider the future of the court-martial system.