Buried at Ruan Minor Churchyard Battles/wars World War II Service/branch Royal Navy Allegiance United Kingdom Name Stephen Beattie Rank Captain | Years of service 1927-1960 Role Armed force officer Awards Victoria Cross Commands held HMS Campbeltown Battles and wars World War II | |
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Other work Naval Adviser to the Ethiopian Government (1965) Died April 20, 1975, Mullion, United Kingdom | ||
Captain Stephen Halden Beattie VC (29 March 1908 – 20 April 1975) was a Wales-born 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.
‘Sam’ Beattie was born at Leighton, Montgomeryshire to Rev. Prebendary Ernest Halden Beattie, MC and Ethel Knowles. He was educated at Abberley Hall School in Worcester. He joined the Royal Navy in 1925 as a Special Entry Cadet.
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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 HMS 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.
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, and a posting in 1965 as naval adviser to the Ethiopian government.
He died at Mullion, Cornwall. He is buried at Ruan Minor Churchyard in Helston, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.