By Frank Palmer
In January 1920 the First Sea Lord, Admiral Earl Beatty was admitted
to the honorary freedom of the Borough of Rye in appreciation of his
outstanding naval service during W.W.I. He succeeded Earl Jellicoe
as First Sea Lord, and was the youngest British Admiral since Nelson.
Whilst in Rye Earl Beatty unveiled a memorial in Rye Church to Vice
Admiral Sir George John Scott Warrender, a War time commander and
friend who had died on the 8th January 1917. Sir George was married
to Lady Maud. Their home was Leasam House.
Trafalgar Square is always associated with Lord Nelson, but it is
not so well known that the fountains in the Square, which were added
in 1845 were replaced by a new design by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939
as memorials to Earls Jellicoe and Beatty, their busts can be seen
on the north side of The Square. Earl Beatty died in March 1936.
Pictures from the Frank Palmer Collection
From the December 2007 Issue of “Rye’s Own”