Benjamin Bathurst (Royal Navy officer)
| Sir Benjamin Bathurst | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 May 1936 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1953–1995 |
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Commands held |
First Sea Lord Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Commander-in-Chief Fleet Second Flotilla 5th Frigate Squadron HMS Ariadne 819 Naval Air Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Bosnian War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Benjamin Bathurst GCB, DL (born 27 May 1936) is a former Royal Navy officer. After training as a pilot and qualifying as a helicopter instructor, Bathurst commanded a Naval Air Squadron and then two frigates before achieving higher command in the Navy. He served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 1993 to 1995: in that capacity he advised the British Government on the deployment of Naval Support including Sea Harriers during the Bosnian War.
Bathurst is the son of Peter Bathurst and his wife Lady Elizabeth Ann Bathurst (née Temple-Gore-Langton). Generally known by his middle name of Benjamin, Bathurst was educated at Eton and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
Bathurst joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1953 and became a midshipman on 1 September 1955. During his early career he served in the minesweeper HMS Woolaston and, following promotion to sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1957 and to lieutenant on 1 February 1959, he qualified as a pilot in 1960. He next served in the ship's flight on the destroyer HMS Devonshire and then qualified as a helicopter instructor in 1964. He served as an exchange officer with the Royal Australian Navy in 1965 and, following promotion to lieutenant commander on 1 February 1967, he became senior pilot of 820 Naval Air Squadron on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle. He was given command of 819 Naval Air Squadron in February 1969 and then joined the Directorate of Naval Recruiting at the Ministry of Defence in early 1970. Promoted to commander on 30 June 1970, he became executive officer on the destroyer HMS Norfolk in February 1971. He joined the Directorate of Naval Air Warfare at the Ministry of Defence in February 1973.
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