Doug Beattie

Captain Douglas Ricardo "Doug" Beattie MC is an Northern Irish 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.

His exploits in Afghanistan earned him the Military Cross and following his return he published the first of two books, An Ordinary Soldier, 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Political career
Beattie joined the Ulster Unionist Party 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.

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.

Awards and commendations
The Queens Commendation For Bravery NATO Meritorious Service Medal Military Cross