THE KEEPER OF THE SEAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1390, 23 November 1918, Page 6

THE KEEPER OF THE SEAS.

ADMIRAL SIR DAVID BEATTY. Admiral Sir David Bcatly, G.C.8., G.C.V.0., D.5.0., was born on January 17, 1871, and entered the Britannia in January, 1634. He became a. lieutenant on August, 1892. During the Egyptian war he served on the Nile, in co-operation with the Egyptian Army, under the 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 llaiir under fire. On Commander Colvillo being wounded, Lieutenant- Beatty took command of the flotilla, and fought the gunboats in front. of the enemy butteries with great persistence and success, eventually dismounting their guns. For these services .ho was awarded the D.S.O. and mentioned in despatches. lie was also mentioned in despatches by the Sirdir for service with the gunboat* employed during the Sudan operations on the Nile, in 1898, which included the capture of Berber and the batteries of Atbara and Khartoum. He subsequently accompanied Lord Kitchener in the advance to Fashoda, and was present at his meeting with Major Marchland. After the capture of Khartoum he was specially promoted to command. When tin' Boxer outbreak occurred, Admiral Beatty was commander of the Barflcur, second flagship on the China, station, and'served in the Tientsin Concession throughout the siege. He showed exceptional'tenacity in attempting, with 200 bluejackets to capture two Chinese guns, which were causing great trouble to the forces and inhabitants; after being twice wounded In' continued to lead his men to the attack, lie afterwards commanded the British Naval Brigade of the international force which relieved Admiral Seymour's expedition from a critical situation in llsikon arsenal. Later lie commanded the Naval Brigade at the capture of Tientsin city. For these services lie was specially promoted to the rank of captain at lire early age of 20. in 1900. From November, 1908, to January 1, 1910, Captain Beatty was Aidc-do-Camp to the King. On January 1. 1910, although not 39 years old, he became Rear-Admiral, and two years later was appointed Naval Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, a jwst which lie held until February, 1913. During the naval manoeuvres of 1912. Read-Admiral Beatty commanded the Sixth Cruiser Squadron, flying his flag in If.M.S. Aboukir. In the following year he was, appointed to command the First Battle Cruiser Squadion. In June, 1914, he was made a K.C.8., and on August 3 was promoted Acting TienAdmiral, and given command of the cruiseforces of the Grand Fleet. On August 28, 1914, he was in command of the British Forces which proceeded into 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 j were lost.

In January, 1905, ho commanded Urn British forces in action oil' the Dogger Hank, which resulted in the sinking of the (Mueller. 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 lie succeeded, after 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 despatches and received the G.C.B. In November, 1916, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, with the acting rank of Admiral. He is a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Grand Officer of the Military Order of Savoy, and holds the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun. and the Russian Military Order of SI. George (Fourth Class).