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
20 March 2011: Doug returns from third (and
final?) Afghan tour.
4 March 2011: Taliban sniper. Doug reports
from Helmand for C4 News.
For almost 30 years Doug Beattie has 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 went to do a desk
job. But the now-captain ended up leading
British and 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, and also theirs.
For his bravery Doug was awarded the MC.
The tale didn't end there though. Due
to leave the Army in 2007, Doug actually
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 did not sever his links with
his regiment or the Afghans. He returned
to 'Afghan' in a TA role in August
2010.
