Benjamin Bathurst

Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Benjamin Bathurst, (27 May 1936 – 12 October 2025) was a British 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.

Early life Bathurst was born in London on 27 May 1936; Generally known by his middle name of Benjamin,

Naval career 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 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 became senior pilot of 820 Naval Air Squadron on the aircraft carrier . on appointment as Flag Officer, Second Flotilla, Bathurst went on to be Director-General, Naval Manpower and Training at the Ministry of Defence in May 1985. on appointment as Chief of Fleet Support. and promoted to full admiral on 21 April 1989, on appointment as Commander-in-Chief Fleet which also carried with it the NATO appointments of Commander-in-Chief, Channel and Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Atlantic. he became Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in March 1991 and First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff in March 1993. As First Sea Lord he advised the British Government on the deployment of Naval Support including Sea Harriers during the Bosnian War. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 10 July 1995 on his retirement. He was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Somerset on 27 August 1996 and became vice-lord lieutenant on 18 February 1999. He was a younger brother of Trinity House and a liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. where his son, Lieutenant General Sir Ben Bathurst, serves as the governor.