Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-08
SIR DAVID BEATTY,
ENCLAND'S NAVAL HERO
Son-in-Law of Marshal Field Saw Hard
Fighting Before this War and Became
Youngest Admiral in British Navy.
By JoHN ELrRETH WATKINS

British sons-ln-law of title, he raises his hat
(whle strictly observing his neutrality, OF
course) to Sir Davy. It was this prodigy
who, when the Germans surrounded Tyr
whtts mosquito feet Off Helgoland, rushed
TO the rescue and sent Ave of the enemy's
vessels to the bottom. This he did, despite
the fact that he was outclassed in number Of
ships and weight Of metal And he repeated
the victory the other day in the North Sea
when he sank the Bluecher and did other
damage to the Kalser's navy
Many men who are beginning their careers
only now, and who still consider themselves
young at that, were born before David
Beatty uttered his frst note OF command ~
years ago His parental home was Borodale,
County Wexford, Ireland Wexford is the
southeasternmost corner of the Emerald Isle,
and its soil has been nourished by battle
blood since 1t became the landing place OF
the English invaders eight centuries and
half ago. SO young David's nursery stories
told of fearless men and bold who fought for
their liberty and their rights. And the war
like spirit came to him through heredity as
well as through environment, for his father
was Captain d, L. Beatty, of Borodale An
other of Captain Beatty's sons entered the
army. This is Major Charles II. L. Beatty.
Entered the Navy at l3
David was a lad Of only 13 when he en-
tered the navy. In go came his first chance
for glory. This was when, as a young lieu
tenant of only 25 he was sent to the Soudan
to aid Kitchener. In that Nile campaign he
commanded the British gunboats, and at
Dongola he won the distinguished service
der Hence the d. s. o. at the tail end of his
title. A more substantial reward for this
Same hard fighting was a promotion to the
rank of commander.
Two years later came the Boxer fracas in
China. Commander Beatty, although still in
his eos, was given command of the Barfeur
and did much hard land fighting. Two Sc
we're wounds invalided him home but won
him promotion to the rank of captain. A
greater reward now awaited him. He was
to storm the fortress of ladys heart and
win one of the wealthiest heiresses of his
time
Captain Beatty was a poor young officer
when fate decreed that he must hang about
England waiting for his wounds to heal Ten
years before there had burst upon English
society newly married American couple,
Arthur Tree, son of Lambert Tree, our for
mer Minister to Russia, and his bride, the
former Ethel Field, daughter of Chicago's
prince, Marshall Field. Mr.. Field soon after
ward purchased for his daughter a beautiful
country estate in WarwIckshire, where the
Trees went to live. But happiness did not
stay within their threshold. There was a
quarrel and then a divorce.
The Brave and the Fair
None but the brave deserve the fair"
Captain Beatty came TO Lndon, saw the
newly divorced Mrs Tree and conquered her
heart. His method OF attack was the same
which he employed upon the Nile, in China,
and which he now employs in the North Sea.
The result was that the former Ethel Field
became Mrs. David Beatty not many days
after she had ceased to he the wife of Arthur
Tree. The marriage was as quiet as 1t was
sudden, and not even Marshall Field, the
brides father knew that it was to occur
when 1t did.
Lady Beatty is two years the junior OF
her famous husband. In addition to her
eldest son, Ronald Lambert Tree, now a
youth of IS, she now has by her second mar
rlage two other boys, David Field Beatty
aged 10, and Peter Beatty, youngster of g.
Four years after her second marriage Mrs
Beattys prospective fortune was slightly di-
minished by her father taking a new wife
the Marshall Field estate with her and the
only other child, Marshall Field, Jr.
Honors continued to pour in upon Captain
Beatty after his happy and romantic mar
riage. In 1905 he was made a member OF the
Royal Victorian Order, and thereby got the
M. V. o. in the middle of his title. But the
black angel was now to throw its shadow
upon the happy household for time Lady
Beatty's only brother, Marshall Field, Jr,
died that same year, and before she had put
away her mourning for him her distinguished
father breathed his last. The merchant
prince left, besides his widow and Lady
Beatty, five grandchildren. The eldest OF
these Marshall Field, Sd, will inherit three-
hfths of the estate when he reaches So
Aids.de.Csmp 10 King Edward
Shortly after Lady Beatty had inherited
her millions from the Marshall Field estate
her husband became aid-de-camp to King
and this appointment brought them
in even closer touch with court life. Like Chi
ca gos other brilliant daughter. Lady Curzon,
Mrs. Beatty won popularity by her great per-
sonal charm and excellent tact. She was
greatly admired by the King and soon found
herself within the inner circle of wealthy
American wives of the arstocracy. But Cap
tain Beatty's commission at court lasted only
two years, being Cancelled by his promotion
to the rank OF rear admiral.
His elevation to nag rank broke all OF the
OF the Royal Navy He was the
only man in the history Of the service to
have received such honors while still in his
sos, for he was then 80. Lord Nelson. always
considered the most notable OF British naval
prodigies, had 40 years TO his credit when
elevated TO this rank.