An Ordinary Soldier is the story of the most decorated British
Army patrol since Bravo Two Zero told by
one of those who was there in the hell of
southern Afghanistan in 2006.
"An action reminiscent of Rorke's
Drift." The Daily Mail
An Ordinary Soldier and Task Force Helmand
(Doug's second book) are both published
by Simon & Schuster
"A truly modern hero. Doug Beattie is
thoughtful, courageous and compassionate."
Colonel Tim Collins
For over a quarter of a century Doug Beattie
served with the Royal Irish Regiment. His first job was guarding Rudolph Hess
at Spandau Prison. Years later, in 2003,
he was RSM to Colonel Tim Collins in Iraq.
Yet none of what went before prepared him
for Afghanistan 2006. Doug was sent to do
a desk job. But the now-captain ended up
leading Afghan forces as they battled to
take the Taliban-held town of Garmsir. A
mission planned to last 48 hours instead
went on for two bloody weeks. Somehow Doug
and his handful of Brits survived. Not so
many of the Afghans. An Ordinary Soldier is Doug's story, but it is also
theirs. For his bravery Doug was awarded
the MC. The tale didn't end there though.
Doug was due to leave the Army in 2007. Instead
he stayed on, going back to Afghanistan in
2008. His exploits during this second tour
are recorded in Task Force Helmand. Doug did eventually retire as a full-time
soldier, but such is his commitment to his
regiment and the Afghan people he returned
to Afghanistan in a TA role in August 2010.
