He joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in September 1928, passed out in August 1931 and was awarded a flight cadetship at RAF College, Cranwell. He graduated in July 1933, winning the Sword of Honour and being granted a permanent commission. He was posted to No 43 Squadron.
At this time the RAF was supplying pilots for the Fleet Air Arm, and on 3 October 1934 Badger went to the School of Naval Co-operation, Lee-on-Solent. He joined No 821 (Fleet Spotter-Reconnaissance) Squadron in May 1935, based at Eastleigh near Southampton and at sea on the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous. Badger was posted to the Marine Aircraft Establishment at Felixstowe in October 1937.
On 24 July 1939, “Tubby” Badger was posted to the Air Staff at the newly-formed No 13 Group as Squadron Leader Intelligence. He was sent to France on 13 January 1940 and became Squadron Leader Organisation at HQ No 14 Group.
On 21 June 1940 he went to No 43 Squadron at Tangmere, as a supernumerary Squadron Leader, to gain operational and administrative experience. On 9 July the CO, Squadron Leader George Lott, was badly wounded (thus missing the qualification for the Battle of Britain Clasp by hours) and Badger took command of 43.
On the 12th he shared a He 111 and on 8 August he got a probable Bf 109, on the 13th damaged two Ju 88s, on the 14th and 15th destroyed two others, on the 16th shot down three Ju 87s and on the 26th destroyed a He 111 and shared a second.
Badger was shot down by Bf 109s on 30 August at about 5.30pm. He baled out but was badly hurt when he landed in trees. His Hurricane, V 6458, crashed south of Woodchurch, near Tenterden. He was admitted to Ashford Hospital and was later moved to the RAF Hospital at Halton, Buckinghamshire. He died there from his injuries on 30 June 1941, aged 28, having received the DFC and a Mention in Despatches after being shot down.
The citation for his DFC read: “This officer assumed command of a squadron in July 1940 and it is through his personal leadership that the squadron has achieved so many successes since the intensive air operations began.”
“He has been instrumental in destroying six enemy aircraft. In spite of the fact that on three occasions he has returned with his aircraft very badly damaged through enemy cannon fire, he has immediately taken off again to lead his squadron on patrol.”
“Squadron Leader Badger has displayed great courage and resolution.”
He is buried in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels, Halton.
