Admiral of the FleetSir 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.
Early life
Bathurst is the son of Peter Bathurst and his wife Lady Elizabeth Ann Bathurst (née Temple-Gore-Langton).[1] Generally known by his middle name of Benjamin,[2] Bathurst was educated at Eton College and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.[3]
Bathurst married Sarah Christian Pandora Peto, daughter of Major John Peto and granddaughter of Sir Basil Peto, 1st Baronet, in 1959.[1] They have one son, Lieutenant General Sir Benjamin Bathurst, and three daughters.[3]