World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Leighton, England, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. On the night of March 27, 1942, Lieutenant Commander Beattie was skipper of the HMS Cambletown during the raid on St Nazaire, France. As he sailed his destroyer up the River Loire to the massive Normandie dry dock, he was caught in searchlights and German gunfire from the docks. Under intense fire, he steamed into the lock-gates using his ship as an explosive vessel against the massive dry-dock entrance lock dock at St. Nazaire. He then rammed it to cause damage to deny large German surface ships the use of it for repairs. The Germans captured Lieutenant Commander Beattie and while he was being questioned nearby, the explosives on the HMS Campbeltown ignited. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on May 19, 1942 and later achived the rank of Captain. He died at age 67 in Cornwall, England.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Leighton, England, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. On the night of March 27, 1942, Lieutenant Commander Beattie was skipper of the HMS Cambletown during the raid on St Nazaire, France. As he sailed his destroyer up the River Loire to the massive Normandie dry dock, he was caught in searchlights and German gunfire from the docks. Under intense fire, he steamed into the lock-gates using his ship as an explosive vessel against the massive dry-dock entrance lock dock at St. Nazaire. He then rammed it to cause damage to deny large German surface ships the use of it for repairs. The Germans captured Lieutenant Commander Beattie and while he was being questioned nearby, the explosives on the HMS Campbeltown ignited. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on May 19, 1942 and later achived the rank of Captain. He died at age 67 in Cornwall, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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