Commissioned as a P/O in the Auxiliary Air Force on 11 Jan 1932 and appointed to No 605 (County of Warwick) Sqn. He was promoted to flight lieutenant in June 1937 and transferred from the AAF to the Auxiliary Air Force Reserve of Officers in January 1939. He was recalled to No 605 Squadron and full-time service in August 1939. Churchill later served with No 3 Sqn and No 71 (Eagle) Sqn, and took part in the Battle of Britain as a squadron leader.

Squadron Commander with 71 [Eagle] RAF. During his tenure, instructed his pilots to land the outdated Brewster Buffalo's with tail wheels unlocked, thus causing ground loops and damaged A/C's. Hurricanes were then issued to the Sqn.

He was subsequently promoted to wing commander, then group captain. Churchill was an 'ace' pilot credited with seven 'kills, and was awarded a DSO and a DFC. He also evaluated various makes of fighter aircraft for the RAF, and played a key role in getting Spitfire aircraft to the defence of Malta. In Aug 1942 he was stationed in Malta as group captain. On 27 Aug, Churchill was killed in action while leading a raid in a Spitfire on Biscari airfield near Gela in southern Sicily.

Awarded - DFC DSO