Patrick Anthony Porteous


Colonel Patrick Anthony Porteous VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Second World War

Porteous was commissioned in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1937. On 26 August 1940 he was promoted to lieutenant. On 19 August 1942, he was 24 years old and a temporary major attached to No. 4 Commando when he did the deed for which he was awarded the VC, during the Dieppe Raid. The citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 2 October 1942 and read:

Later career

In spite of severe wounds, Porteous went on to make a full recovery and had a distinguished military career in Palestine, Germany and Singapore. Following the war he was confirmed in the rank of captain, promoted to major in 1950, lieutenant colonel on 1 May 1959, and rose to the rank of colonel before he retired in 1970. He had the honour of being in the leading car at the late Queen Mother's 100th Birthday Parade, before his death in October 2000, aged 82.