Doug Beattie

Douglas Ricardo "Doug" Beattie
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Upper Bann
Assumed office
7 May 2016
Preceded by Sam Gardiner
Personal details
Born (1965-10-13) 13 October 1965
UK
Nationality British
Political party Ulster Unionist Party
Residence Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Alma mater Sandhurst
Profession Politician
Awards Military Cross
QCB
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1982-2016
Rank Captain
Unit Royal Irish Regiment
Battles/wars Kosovo War
War in Afghanistan
Captain
Doug Beattie
MC
Birth name Douglas Ricardo Beattie
Allegiance British
Service/branch Army
Rank Captain
Unit Royal Irish Regiment
Awards Military Cross, Queen's Commendation for Bravery

Captain Douglas Ricardo "Doug" Beattie MC is a Northern Irish[1] soldier and politician. "Born in barracks" in 1965, his father was a warrant officer in the Royal Ulster Rifles a regiment of the British Army. The family settled in Portadown when he was 10 following the cessation of his father's regular service but saw Beattie Snr enlist into the Ulster Defence Regiment shortly after.

At the age of 16 in 1982 he joined the Royal Irish Rangers which became the Royal Irish Regiment in 1992. In over 28 years of service rose from the rank of "Ranger" to that of Regimental Sergeant Major. During that time he served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Northern Ireland being awarded the General Officer NI commendation, the Queens Commendation for Bravery and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. He was commissioned from the ranks in 2005 gaining promotion to captain.[2]

His exploits in Afghanistan earned him the Military Cross and following his return he published the first of two books, An Ordinary Soldier,[3] which became an immediate best seller in the United Kingdom and propelled him into the public eye.

After retiring from the army he joined the Ulster Unionist Party and successfully stood for a seat in a Portadown ward of Craigavon Borough Council.[2] As of May 2016, Beattie is an Ulster Unionist MLA for Upper Bann.

During the Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2017 Beattie was cited by commentators to be a possible contender to replace former leader Mike Nesbitt, however in the end only Robin Swann ran and was elected unopposed.[4][5]

Early life

As the son of a professional soldier not only was Doug Beattie "born in barracks" but moved from area to area as his father's unit was posted to different locations. Eventually, upon retirement from the army by Beattie Snr, the family returned to their native Portadown, County Armagh, in Northern Ireland; moving into a house in Union Street, situated in the densely populated Edgarstown area on the outskirts of the town centre.[6]

His mother died young leaving his father (who had by this time enlisted with the Ulster Defence Regiment) to bring him and two brothers up. At the age of 15 he accidentally shot a friend when the two of them discovered Beattie Snr's personal protection weapon and were playing with it. Although shot in the head his friend recovered.[7]

Service life

Shortly after the incident with the handgun Beattie joined the Royal Irish Rangers and following training was posted to the 2nd Battalion who were stationed in Wavell Barracks, Berlin.[8]

Bravery

As part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team Captain Beattie was part of an operation intended to retake the town of Garmsir in Helmand Province. As a result of his heroic behaviour during the intense fighting over a number of days he was recommended for, and subsequently awarded, the Military Cross.[9]

Political career

Beattie joined the Ulster Unionist Party[10] and was elected to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council in the Portadown area during the 2014 council elections.

On Saturday, 7 May 2016, he was elected as an MLA for the Upper Bann constituency.[11]

During the Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2017 Beattie was cited by commentators to be a possible contender to replace former leader Mike Nesbitt, however in the end only Robin Swann ran and was elected unopposed.[4][5]

Awards and commendations

The Queens Commendation For Bravery
NATO Meritorious Service Medal
Military Cross

References

  1. ↑ "No, I will not. Sorry. We want to...: 23 Jan 2017: Northern Ireland Assembly debates - TheyWorkForYou". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  2. 1 2 "Doug Beattie: 'I wear the Military Cross for all the people who served'". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Doug Beattie. "An Ordinary Soldier". Andrewlownie.co.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Ulster Unionist Party confirm Robin Swann as new leader". BBC News. 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  5. 1 2 "NI Election: Swann and Aiken front runners in quest to be the new leader of Ulster Unionists - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  6. ↑ "Authors: Doug Beattie". andrewlownie.co.uk.
  7. ↑ "'Why I stood up where there are bullets'". Telegraph.co.uk. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers move to Berlin". royal-irish.com. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "No. 57100". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 October 2003. pp. 6–7.
  10. ↑ "Captain Doug Beattie joins UUP". UTV. 26 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Victor Gordon (2016-05-07). "UUP MLA Doug Beattie's election confirmed as he buries his tiny grandson - Belfast Newsletter". Newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Preceded by
Sam Gardiner		 MLA for Upper Bann
2016–present		 Incumbent
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