World War I: Beatty Youngest Admiral Since Nelson

January 1, 1910 - Captain David Beatty (right) becomes the Royal Navy's youngest admiral since Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Joining the Royal Navy in 1884, Beatty was an unremarkable junior officer until named second in command of the gunboats that accompanied Lord Kitchener's expedition to Khartoum in 1898. Distinguishing himself during the campaign, he came to further attention as a member of the British Naval Brigade during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Promoted to captain at the remarkable age of 29, Beatty developed a reputation as a brash but skilled leader. Promoted to rear admiral ten years later, Beatty was a vice admiral in command of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron when World War I began. In this role, he played a key role in the Battles of the Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland. Promoted in 1916, he commanded the British Grand Fleet until 1919. Named First Sea Lord, he served in the post until his retirement in 1927.

Photograph Source: Public Domain