Sir Benjamin Bathurst | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 May 1936 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | 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 Chief of Fleet Support Director-General, Naval Manpower and Training Flag Officer, Second Flotilla Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord Director of Naval Air Warfare HMS Minerva HMS Ariadne 819 Naval Air Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Bosnian War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
| Relations | Lieutenant General Sir Ben Bathurst (son) |
Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Benjamin Bathurst, GCB, DL (born 27 May 1936) is a former Royal Navy officer. He is the only living person, apart from King Charles III, holding the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy since the death of Lord Boyce. 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.