S/Ldr. H. P. F. Patten joined the RAF on a short service commission in October 1937. He did his elementary flying at No 1 E&RFTS, Hatfield, was posted to 2 FTS, Brize Norton on 9th January, 1938, and joined 79 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 20th August.
Hubert went to CFS, Upavon, in October 1938, for an instructor’s course but became ill and did not graduate. After three months supernumerary sick at Uxbridge, he was posted to 64 Squadron at Church Fenton in April, 1939.

Over Dunkirk on 31st May, 1940, Patten claimed a Bf 110 destroyed and, flying from Kenley on 10th July, he claimed another.

On 16th September, 1940, he joined the newly-formed 307 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey, a Polish night-fighter unit with Defiants, as a Flight Commander.
In May, 1941, Patten moved to 604 Squadron at Middle Wallop. In the early hours of 5th July, 1941, he intercepted and shot down a He 111, which crashed in  Somerset. Hubert remained with 604 until October, when he went to Exminster as GCI Controller.

Hbert was posted to 52 OTU, Aston Down in February, 1943, for a Spitfire refresher course.
In May, he joined 276 (ASR) Squadron at Harrowbeer as a supernumerary Squadron Leader but was then posted to Air HQ Malta in June, where he served as Staff Officer Night Ops.

In December, 1943, Hubert was attached to 108 Squadron at Luqa, a Beaufighter night-fighter unit, then went to HQ 242 Group, Taranto later in the month as a staff officer with Fighter Operations.

In April and May, 1944, Hubert was with 1435 Squadron at Rjmini, as a supernumerary Squadron Leader, before joining 255 Squadron at Foggia, as a Flight Commander.

Hubert returned to the UK in January, 1945, was at Air Ministry until September and then after a short spell on Mustangs at 61 OTU, Keevil, he was released from the RAF in October 1945.
He worked in the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal and Paris from December 1945 until June 1949. Hubert Patten then rejoined the RAF, in the Fighter Control Branch.
He retired on 28th May, 1964, as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. From 19th October until April, 1980, Hubert worked as a civilian with NATO in France Belgium.

Hubert Patten passed away on Christmas Eve, 2002. He was aged 85.