ADMIRAL SIR DAVID BEATTY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 42, 13 November 1918, Page 3

ADMIRAL SIR DAVID BEATTY

Admiral Sir David B®tty, G.C.8., G.C.V.0., D.5.0., was Ixiri? on January 17, 1871, and entered tho Britannia in January, 1881. He became a lieutenant in August, 1892. During the Egyptian war ho served on the Nile in co-operation with tho Egyptian Army, under tho late Lord Kitchener. In the course of this campaign he rendered excellent service in getting'gunboats over the Cataract, and, as second in command of the flotilla, at the forcing of the Dervish batteries at Hafir under fire.

On Commander Colville being wounded, Lieutenant Beatty took command of the flotilla and fought tho gunboats in front of the enemy batteries with great persistence and success, eventually dismounting their guns. For these services he was awarded the D.S.O. and mentioned in dispatches. He was also mentioned in dispatches by the Sirdar for service with the gunboats employed during the Sudan operations on tho Nile ill 1898, which included the capture of Berber and the battles of Atbara and Khartoum. He subsequently accompanied Lord Kitchener in tho advance to Fashoda, and was present at his meeting with Major Marchand. After the capture of Khartoum he was specially promoted to commander. When the Boxer outbreak occurred Admiral Beatty was commander in the Barfleur, second flagship on the China Station, and served in the Tientsin Concession throughout the siege. He showed exceptional tenacity ill attempting with 200 bluejackets to capture two Chinese guns which were causing great trouble to the forces and inhabitants; after being twice wounded he continued to lead his men to the attack. He- afterwards commanded the British Naval Brigade of tho international force which relieved Admiral Seymour's expedition from a -critical situation in Hsikon arsenal. Later he commanded the Naval Brigade at the capture of Tientsin city. For these services ho was specially promoted to the rank of captain at the •early age of 29, in 19(H). From November, 1908, to January 1, 1910, Captain Beatty was Aide-de-Camp to the Iving. On January 1, 1910, although not 39 years old, ho became Rear-Admiral, and two years later was appointed Naval Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, a post which he held until February, 1913. During the naval manoeuvres of 1912, Rear-Admiral Beatty commanded tho Sixth Cruiser Squadron, flying his flag in H.M.S. Aboukir.

In the following year he was appointed to command tho First Battle Cruiser Squadron. In June, 1914, he was made a 1C.C.8., and on August 3 was promoted Acting Vice-Admiral and given command of the cruiser forces of the Grand Fleet.

On 'August 28, 19U, he was in command of the British forces which proceeded into the Heligoland Bight in support of a flotilla of destroyers which was being hard pressed. In the action which resulted, three German light cruisers were sunk. No British ships were lost. In January, 1915, he commanded the British forces in the action off the Dogger Bank, which resulted in the sinking of the Blucher. His flagship, Lion, was severely damaged at a critical moment of the action and was towed back to port. He was subsequently appointed to command the Battle Cruiser Fleet. At the Battle of Jutland he succeeded, after verv severe fighting, in drawing the enemy's 'fleet towards the British Battle Fleet and' establishing touch . between them. For his services he was mentioned in dispatches and received the, G.C.B. In November, 1916, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, with tho acting rank of Admiral. He is a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Grand Officer of the Military Order of Savoy, and holds tno Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, and tho Russian Military Order of St. George (Fourth Class).