It is with great regret that the Society reports the death on October 12th of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Ben Bathurst (1936-2025), President of our Society between 1997 and 2014. Sir Ben attended Dartmouth between 1953 and 1955, qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1960, serving on a new guided missile destroyer, before a period serving with the Royal Australian Navy, on board the fleet carrier HMS Eagle. His later career combined commanding frigates, and a frigate squadron, with significant periods in the Ministry of Defence, culminating in his appointment as First Sea Lord in 1993. Sir Ben was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on retirement. He was a younger brother of Trinity House and a Deputy then a Vice Lord Lieutenant for Somerset. Sir Ben was an active and supportive President, chairing key meetings, and providing sage advice on issues large and small. His insight, judgement and engagement were greatly appreciated by the Society in an era of challenge and transition. Sir Ben died peacefully at Gibraltar, where his son, Lieutenant-General Sir Ben Bathurst, is the Governor.