Bring the Beattie Medals Home

Aim

We need to purchase a new highly secure case so we can display the medals of Captain Stephen Beattie, including his Victoria Cross.

Captain Stephen Beattie’s medals, including his Victoria Cross for valour during the Second World War, need a new home. We are fundraising for a special case so we can share his incredible story, and the story of the brave military personnel who fought alongside him.  

Captain Beattie’s Story – the St Nazaire Raid 

On 28 March 1942 British troops undertook what is often referred to as ‘The Greatest Raid of All’. The St Nazaire Raid (Operation Chariot) still stands as one of the most bold and brave British military operations of the Second World War, striking at the very heart of Nazi-occupied France. 

The Impossible Mission: Britain was confronted with a grave strategic threat. The German battleship Tirpitz, if unleashed upon Atlantic shipping lanes, could devastate the vital convoy system sustaining Britain's war effort. Only one facility on the Atlantic coast possessed a dry dock capable of servicing Tirpitz if it became damaged: the dock at St Nazaire. The docks destruction would effectively confine Tirpitz to Norwegian waters, where it could be contained by British naval forces. Those assigned to the operation knew what they must do, and what was at stake. 

The Assault: Lieutenant Commander Stephen Halden Beattie commanded HMS Campbeltown, the First World War destroyer selected for the most critical role in the operation. Under Beattie’s command, the ship was transformed into a floating bomb - stripped of weight to navigate the shallow estuary, disguised to resemble a German destroyer, and laden with nearly 5 tons of delayed-action explosives concealed in a steel and concrete casing.  

On the 28 March, under the cover of darkness, Beattie led a small fleet of motor launches carrying over 600 military personnel along the Loire estuary. At 01:22, German searchlights illuminated the entire convoy. What followed was an eruption of fire as coastal batteries and anti-aircraft guns engaged the attacking force at devastating close range. Campbeltown was hit repeatedly and yet despite being blinded by searchlights and under withering fire, Beattie maintained his course with unwavering determination. At precisely 01:34 - only three minutes behind schedule - Campbeltown struck the southern dock gate with tremendous force. 

Valour Under Fire: Despite the destruction of most evacuation craft, the commandos executed their mission with extraordinary bravery. Demolition teams succeeded in destroying pumping machinery and dock installations while assault teams fought off German counterattacks. But more was to come. 

Triumph Through Tragedy: At nearly noon on 28 March, Campbeltown's concealed delayed-action explosives detonated, demolishing the dock gates. The operation achieved its objective and Tirpitz never ventured into the Atlantic. 

However, the human cost on both sides was severe. Of the men who undertook the raid, only 228 returned. 169 were killed in action and 215 became prisoners of war, including Beattie.  

In recognition of their exceptional gallantry, 89 decorations were awarded, including five Victoria Crosses. Lieutenant Commander Beattie received a Victoria Cross for his unwavering leadership and courage – also receiving it on behalf of the brave unnamed officers and men, many of whom did not return. 

What came next for Beattie: Beattie remained a Prisoner of War until April 1945, only physically receiving his Victoria Cross once he left captivity. He was also awarded the French Legion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre for his role in the raid. He was promoted to Commander in 1945 and then Captain in 1951. He retired in 1960 and later passed away at his home in Cornwall in 1975. 

The future for Beattie’s Medals 

We have been given the wonderful opportunity to bring Beattie’s medals home and put them on display here at National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth, Cornwall. Falmouth was where the troops left on this fateful mission and where the survivors returned. Cornwall is where Beattie brought up his family and spent the latter years of his life. It is a fitting tribute to Beattie and the bravery of all those involved. 

How you can help 

To help us on this journey we need to buy a brand-new high security case to enable us to put the medals on display and tell this important story. The case needs to be appropriate for the medals, ensuring we can maintain their condition. It needs to be highly secure given the rarity and immeasurable historic value of the medals, and it needs to fit within the existing gallery infrastructure. We need your help to raise the funds to buy the new case. 

Our costs explained 

We want to be clear about our costs so you know exactly what your donation will be used for.  

We have received a quote for the case from a specialist museum case manufacturer for £22,428. This includes, design, manufacture and installation. 

To help our visitors find out about the story of the St Nazaire Raid, Captain Stephen Beattie, and all those involved, we will produce labels and panels to go on display alongside the medals. We expect this to cost £1,200 for design, production and installation. 

By running a crowdfunding campaign such as this the Museum, a registered charity, will incur additional expenses. We plan to raise extra funds to cover these costs therefore reducing the financial impact of the campaign on the charity. £5,023 has been allocated for crowdfunding platform fees, photography of the medals, image licensing as well as video production and photos of Stephen Beattie’s family and the Museum team. Our aim is for the photography and videos we create to have a legacy beyond the campaign. 

Thank you 

Thank you for helping us Bring the Beattie Medals Home. Your support brings us closer to being able to share the awe-inspiring story of the St Nazaire Raid.  

Please help spread the word of our fundraising campaign so more people can learn about the bravery of Captain Stephen Beattie and all those involved.  

Funding method

All or nothing – this project will only receive pledges if it reaches its target of £29,151 by 19th October 2026 at 11:59pm