Biography:Beatty commanded the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, during which he is reported to have said "there seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today" after two of them had exploded within half an hour during the battle.
He is also remembered for always wearing his cap at a jaunty angle.
1899-04-20 David Beatty is appointed executive officer of the HMS Barfleur, a small battleship and flagship of the China Station
1900-06-11 David Beatty and 150 men from HMS Barfleur land as part of a force of 2,400 defending Tientsin from 15,000 Chinese troops plus Boxers
1900-11-08 David Beatty takes part in the successful relief of the naval brigade and is promoted to captain
1902-06-02 British naval officer David Beatty is appointed captain of the cruiser HMS Juno
1910-01-01 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to rear-admiral
1913-03-01 David Beatty becomes Rear-Admiral Commanding the Royal Navy's 1st Battlecruiser Squadron
1915-08-09 British naval officer David Beatty is confirmed in the rank of vice-admiral
1916-05-31 Battle of Jutland: Largest naval battle of World War I between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet which killed 8,645 in an inconclusive battle but strategic British victory. German fleet never puts to sea again in WWI.
1916-05-31 Battle of Jutland: British battle cruiser HMS Invincible explodes, only 6 crew members survive
1919-01-01 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to full admiral
1919-05-01 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to Admiral of the Fleet
1919-10-18 David Beatty is created 1st Earl Beatty, Viscount Borodale, and Baron Beatty of the North Sea and Brooksby
1919-11-01 British Admiral David Beatty becomes First Sea Lord
Quotes by David Beatty
"There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today"
- World War I