David Beatty

David Beatty (1871-1936), British admiral, born near Nantwich, Cheshire. Beatty entered the British navy in 1884, saw service in Egypt and Sudan (1896-1898) and China (during the Boxer Rebellion), and was made rear admiral in 1910. During World War I, naval forces under his command fought at the battles of Helgoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland. Beatty was made commander in chief of the Grand Fleet in 1916 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1919; he was First Sea Lord of the Admiralty from 1919 to 1927. Knighted in 1914, he was created Earl Beatty, Viscount Borodale of Wexford, and Baron Beatty of the North Sea and Brooksby in 1919.