Friday 16 November 2012

Private Gordon Maynard Porteous

Born on 1 January 1895 in Ottawa, Ontario - son of Mrs. Jennie Porteous, Buckingham, Quebec - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as labourer; single; currently a member of the 43rd Regiment Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles (five weeks); no previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 7.25 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; grey eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 19 July 1915 (number 410175) - served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 18 November 1916 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Porteous's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)

1 comment:

Steve McKenzie said...

Gordon Porteous was my fathers first cousin. I have a photo of him with his sisters as a young boy. My father served in the RCAF during WW2 and stayed with Gordon's family who were living in Moncton at the time.