Royal Navy Admiral John Byng was executed by firing squad for failing to "do his utmost" during the Battle of Minorca at the start of the Seven Years' War.

The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the English Navy of the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

Admiral John Byng was a Royal Navy officer and a politician. Joining the Navy at thirteen, he would participate in battles, such as the Battle of Cape Passaro, and gain a reputation as a solid officer—eventually, a vice-admiral. Amidst his naval career, he served as Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland Colony in 1742, and the Commander-in-Chief, Leith, from 1745 to 1746, and he was a member of Parliament from 1751 to his death.

Execution by firing squad, in the past sometimes called fusillading, is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in the military and in times of war. Some reasons for its use are that firearms are usually readily available and a gunshot to a vital organ, such as the brain or heart, most often will kill relatively quickly.

The Battle of Minorca was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after the war began, British and French squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca, with the French winning the battle. The subsequent decision by the British to withdraw to Gibraltar handed France a strategic victory and led directly to the Fall of Minorca.