Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1919 in the Chester-le-Street R.D. - ref:
10a/1435, the son of George & Evelyn Beattie (nee Lowery).

In 1937, whilst employed at the North Shields Branch of the Lloyds Bank,
was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Medal for rescuing a dog that had
fallen in the path of an on-coming electric train.

He was a member of the Didsbury Cricket Club, whilst his father was the
chief agent for the Conservative Party in Manchester.  His brother was
serving in the Royal Navy

1939 National Registration - No Trace indicating that he was already
serving in the armed forces at that time.

He later transferred to the Broadheath Branch of that Bank, before being
called up in September 1939 and had served in the 50th Northumberland
Division ever since.    Commissioned in the DLI, he served throughout the
North Africa Campaign before moving on into Sicily and eventually the
Italian mainland.

An article in the 22/10/1943 edition of the local newspaper, reporting on
his being awarded the M.C., lists him as a Captain.   The 29/09/1944
edition reporting on his death lists him as a Major.

He was awarded the MC for gallantry in the battle for Sicily.   He already
held the Crois de Guerre for galletry in action with a French unit during
the escape from Dunkirk.    Twice wounded, he was twice mentioned in
dispatches.

His MC citation reads:- "Captain Beattie was the Company Commander of the
assaulting Company when the Battalion crossed the Simeto River and
established the Primasole Bridgehead.    He was first across the River and
was quickly onto his objective.   At dawn the next day, the Company was
very heavily counter-attacked by the German Infantry and compelled to
withdraw.    Captain Beattie did this so effectively that the majority of
his Company were able to establish themselves in a more favourable
position, which they held until the enemy were forced to surrender.  
During the whole two days of this operation, he showed complete disregard
for his own safety and was always to be seen encouraging his men where the
firing was heaviest.    His courage and devotion to duty inspired all his
men and although he was constantly sniped at under very heavy machine gun,
mortar and shell fire, he never showed signs of fatigue.   Captain
Beattie's example under exacting conditions for two days played a very big
part in establishing the bridgehead position".

M.I. - "Seek me in the light, death is not the end.  Where there is no
death".