“A wonderful man’ – The King leads tributes to former First Sea Lord Sir Benjamin Bathurst

“He had the rare gift of commanding respect from his subordinates, peers and superiors alike, whilst also remaining kind and approachable.

“He was a great man. He made a wonderfully powerful impact on his country, his shipmates and his family and friends.”

Sir Ben’s career spanned five decades and was bookended by war – the Suez Crisis at the beginning, conflict in the Balkans at the end.

A young Benjamin Bathurst enjoyed a career as rich and varied as any junior officer could hope for: action in the Suez, experienced life beneath the waves in submarines HMS Sturdy and Talent, patrolled the waters of Cyprus during the ‘emergency’ of the late 1950s in a Ton-class minesweeper, and then switched to the Fleet Air Arm.

He spent the next decade as a helicopter pilot – including two years on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy – ultimately commanding 819 Naval Air Squadron. And he left a legacy which thrives today, setting the requirements for the Merlin helicopter which continues to play a key role on the front line supporting Commando and Fleet operations.

In the 1970s, he returned to the Surface Fleet, from Executive Officer of destroyer HMS Norfolk to command of two Leander-class frigates.

The 1980s were dominated by a series of staff appointments – both RN and Defence – ending the decade as Commander-in-Chief, Fleet, the second most senior post in the Service.

He took command of the Fleet at a time of tremendous political upheaval (fall of the Berlin Wall), social upheaval in the Navy (women going to sea) and renewed conflict in the Middle East (the first Gulf War).

After two years as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff at the beginning of the 1990s, Sir Benjamin headed the Royal Navy from 1993-95.

During his tenure, he successfully lobbied for the Submarine Service to be equipped with Tomahawk missiles – another legacy which persists today – and committed the Navy to peacekeeping operations in the Adriatic as Yugoslavia disintegrated in conflict.

When he left office in 1995, he was the last Royal Navy officer to be promoted to Admiral of the Fleet (a ‘five-star’ rank, equivalent to Field Marshal in the Army) and with his passing, only His Majesty the King holds the title.

In retirement, Sir Benjamin continued to serve: first as a Deputy Lieutenant and later Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, was a younger brother of Trinity House and a liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots.

Giving the tribute, Vice Admiral Sir Charles Montgomery, Second Sea Lord between 2010 and 2012 and Sir Ben’s Flag Lieutenant earlier in his career, described the admiral as a man of “integrity and openness” who demanded the highest standards of those around him – but also recognised and rewarded it.

Sir Ben’s leadership style was simple: give direction to your team, then trust them to get on with it – always being available if needed.

He was never a fan of the Whitehall ‘paper war’ and lengthy documents. And he could be deliver a scathing putdown for those in the corridors of power who tried penny-pinching at the expense of the Fleet.

In dealing with Sir Ben, “people always knew exactly where they stood,” Admiral Montgomery recalled.

“This rich mix of qualities won lifetimes of respect from every level of the Services, Civil Service, Government and wider society.”

The service was attended by six former First Sea Lords, two field marshals, and more than a dozen military leaders of 2* rank or higher.

Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt represented His Majesty The King, while Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence represented HRH The Princess Royal.

The service of thanksgiving was led by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey and supported by The Reverend Dr Mark Davidson, Chaplain of the Fleet and The Venerable Ralph Barber, Archdeacon for the Royal Navy.

A Royal Marines Band brass quintet from CTCRM Lympstone and buglers from the Royal Marines School of Music provided the musical accompaniment to proceedings.