Doug Beattie MC

Doug Beattie

For more than a quarter of a century Doug Beattie was a soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment. In that time he thought he had seen most things. His first job was to guard Rudolph Hess at Spandau Prison. He travelled the world – Cyprus, Germany, Kosovo, Bosnia, to name just a few destinations. And was RSM to Colonel Tim Collins in Iraq in 2003. He was finally commissioned as a late-entry officer.

Yet none of this prepared him for his time in Afghanistan, first in 2006 and then in 2008. On both tours he repeatedly fought the Taliban – often at grenade throwing range and closer.

For his sustained courage and commitment during the bloody and ferocious battle of Garmsir in 2006 Doug was awarded the Military Cross. (His patrol was the most decorated since Bravo Two Zero.)

His first book An Ordinary Soldier focuses on his time in Helmand during that first tour. It was a bestseller and received critical acclaim. His second book Task Force Helmand concentrates on his return to the Afghan badlands in 2008.

Doug Beattie retired from the army in 2009.

‘Of all the soldiers’ voices coming out of Afghanistan, Doug Beattie’s is for my money the most authentic – brave, thoughtful and compassionate’ Patrick Bishop, author of 3 PARA

Task Force Helmand

An Ordinary Soldier