David Beatty gained recognition in the recapture of the Sudan (1896-1899) and the Boxer Rebellion (1900). Appointed private secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty (Winston Churchill) in 1911, he commanded the Battlecruiser Squadron between 1912 and 1916. He took part in actions at Heligoland Bight (1914), Dogger Bank (1915) and Jutland (1916).
He was made commander of the Grand Fleet in 1917 and he was a capable First Sea Lord 1919-1927.