Stephen Beattie

Captain Stephen Halden Beattie VC (29 March 1908 – 20 April 1975) ‘Sam’ Beattie was born at Leighton, Montgomeryshire and educated at Abberley Hall School in Worcester. He joined the Royal Navy in 1925. Beattie was a 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.

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:

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.

After grounding the ship, Beattie was taken prisoner of war by the Germans and held until 1945. In 1947 Beattie received the French Légion d'honneur. He later achieved the rank of captain. He was born in Montgomeryshire and died at Mullion, Cornwall.