Tom Webb-Bowen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Tom Ince Webb-Bowen
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| Born | 17 January 1879 |
| Died | 29 October 1956 (aged 77) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army (1899–1918) Royal Air Force (1918–41) |
| Years of service | 1899–1933 1939–41 |
| Rank | Air vice-marshal |
| Commands held | Wessex Bombing Area (1931–33) Air Member for Personnel (1930–31) RAF Middle East (1926–29) Inland Area (1924–26) No. 3 Group (1923–24) RAF India (1920–22) South Eastern Area (1919) II Brigade RFC (1916–17, 1918–19) VII Brigade RFC (1917–18) No. 3 Wing RFC (1915–16) No. 2 Squadron (1915) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Mentioned in dispatches (3) Order of Saint Anna, 3rd Class with Swords (Russia) Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Croix de guerre (France) Officer of the Military Order of Savoy (Italy) |
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Tom Ince Webb-Bowen (born January 17, 1879 – died October 29, 1956) was a very important leader in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He played a big role in the RAF during the first half of the 20th century, especially during the First World War and Second World War.
Contents
Early Life
Tom Ince Webb-Bowen was born on January 17, 1879. His father, Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen, was a police chief in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for many years.
Flying High: His RAF Career
Tom first joined the British Army in 1899. He served in different army groups, including in India. However, he soon found that army life wasn't quite right for him.
In 1912, Tom discovered his true passion: flying! He learned how to fly planes and quickly became very good at it.
Teaching Others to Fly
After learning to fly, Tom became an instructor at the Central Flying School. This was a special school where pilots were trained. He even became the Assistant Commandant, which means he helped run the school and teach many new pilots.
Leading in World War I
In March 1915, during the First World War, Major Webb-Bowen took command of No. 2 Squadron. This squadron was based in France.
During his time leading the squadron, two important things happened:
- New Communication Method: It was hard for soldiers on the ground to tell their commanders where they were. Tom's squadron helped develop a clever way to fix this. Soldiers would lay out white cloth strips on the ground. Planes would then fly over and use radio signals to send the exact location back to headquarters. This helped coordinate attacks and movements much better.
- First Air Victoria Cross: A very brave pilot from his squadron, Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorhouse, won the first ever Victoria Cross for bravery in the air. The Victoria Cross is the highest award for courage in the British military. This was a huge moment for air warfare!
After this, Tom continued to lead different air brigades in France and Italy during the war.
After the War and Retirement
After the First World War ended, Tom continued to rise through the ranks of the new Royal Air Force. He held many important leadership positions, including:
- Air Officer Commanding South Eastern Area (1919)
- Air Officer Commanding RAF India (1920–1922)
- Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Group (1923)
- Air Officer Commanding Inland Area (1924)
- Air Officer Commanding Middle East Command (1925)
- Air Member for Personnel (1930)
- Air Officer Commanding Wessex Bombing Area (1931)
He retired from the RAF in 1933.
Recalled for World War II
When the Second World War began, Sir Tom was called back to duty. He served as a Duty Air Commodore in the Operations Room at Headquarters RAF Fighter Command. This meant he helped manage air operations during the war.
Sir Tom Ince Webb-Bowen passed away on October 29, 1956. He is remembered as a pioneering leader who helped shape the early days of air power.
