Stephen Halden Beattie
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| Stephen Halden Beattie | |
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| Born | 29 March 1908 Leighton, Montgomeryshire |
| Died | 20 April 1975 (aged 67) Mullion, Cornwall |
| Buried at | Ruan Minor Churchyard |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1927-1960 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | HMS Campbeltown |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Croix de Guerre avec Palmes (France) Legion d'Honneur (France) Order of Menelik II (Ethiopia) |
| Other work | Naval Adviser to the Ethiopian Government (1965) |
Captain Stephen Halden Beattie VC (29 March 1908 – 20 April 1975) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
Beattie was 33 years old, and a lieutenant-commander in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed at the St. Nazaire Raid took place whilst in command of HMS Campbeltown for which he was awarded the VC:
For great gallantry and determination in the attack on St. Nazaire in command of H.M.S. Campbeltown. Under intense fire directed at the bridge from point blank range of about 100 yards, and in the face of the blinding glare of many searchlights, he steamed her into the lock-gates and beached and scuttled her in the correct position. This Victoria Cross is awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Beattie in recognition not only of his own valour but also of that of the unnamed officers and men of a very gallant ship's company, many of whom have not returned.
He later achieved the rank of captain. He was born in Montgomeryshire and died at Mullion, Cornwall.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Cornwall)
- HMS Campbeltown and the Raid on St. Nazaire (detailed description of the action)
- Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945
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Categories:
- 1908 births
- 1975 deaths
- Royal Navy officers
- Royal Navy officers of World War II
- British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Légion d'honneur recipients
- World War II prisoners of war held by Germany
- People from Montgomeryshire
- Royal Navy recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)
- Recipients of the Order of Menelik II
- Royal Navy personnel stubs
