The Upfill-Brown Collection

An extremely rare Edward VII D.S.O. group for Nigeria to Major H. A. 'Bertie' Porter, Liverpool Regiment, late 19th Hussars

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, E. VII. R., in silver-gilt and enamel; EAST AND WEST AFRICA 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1898 (Lieut., 19/Hussars); AFRICA GENERAL SERVICE 1902-56, 3 clasps, N. Nigeria, N. Nigeria 1902, N. Nigeria 1903, the last two clasps tailor's copies (Capt., 19/Hrs.); 1914-15 STAR (Major, L. 'Pool R.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORYMEDALS (Major), mounted court style for display, generally good very fine(6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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D.S.O., London Gazette 28 October, 1904 'In recognition of his services with the Kano-Sokoro Expedition.'

Major Herbert Alfred 'Bertie' Porter entered the 19th Hussars in 1894 and was employed on numerous operations with the West African Frontier Force between 1898 and 1905, including the Borgo, Bida, Kontagora and Kano-Sokoro expeditions. Thrice mentioned in despatches, Porter's extensive services were ultimately recognized with a D.S.O., one of approximately 25 such awards issued for this theatre prior to 1914. Of all the incidents in which Porter became embroiled during his Nigerian sojourn, it was in the Kontagora operations of December 1900 that he won undying fame and respect among his contemporaries. But for an irregularity in his C.O.'s conduct, brought about by over confidence, it is generally accepted that Porter would have been awarded the Victoria Cross. Between 15/18 December, in company with a small force under Major O'Neill, he was constantly in action. Near Bida on the 16th his MI. accounted for fifry of the enemy, and then in a daring raid on 500 Nope cavalrymen and 1000 foot tribesmen camped at a waterhole, his force of fifty M.I. slew an estimated 200 Nupe and wounded another 500, many of them mortally-it was a scene of the most frightful carnage. ' Porter's force sustained no casualties. However, Porter crowned his already startling services with a spectacular and courageous charge at Bida the following day, after the over-confident O'Neill had entered the town with some infantry, only to find himself surrounded and locked in mortal combat inside the Emir's Palace courtyard. Out of the blue appeared 'Berrie' Porter, at the head of thirteen Mounted Infantry, and such was the surprise brought about by his gallant little charge, that O'Neill and his men were successfully extricated from the grasp of their superior and agitated foe. Again, in March 1902, 'Berrie' Porter pulled off a great coup for the British, when in company with Captain Abadie (Resident-designate at Zaria), he used his scratch force of 15 Mounted Infantry to cut off an enemy force estimated at 12,000 personnel! By means of this monumental bluff, the enemy force surrendered. In point of fact 'Bertie' Porter's swashbuckling tactics were ofren to the fore throughout these troublesome times in Northern Nigeria, another of his better efforts being a full out cavalry charge with only 50 Mounted Infantry against some 800 enemy cavalry at Chamberawa in February 1903-for the loss of one man, his force killed ten and scattered the remainder. Then after participating in the total rout of the Sokoro army a few weeks later, 'Bertie' put on a fine display of horsemanship to beat a fellow officer to the enemy colours. Unfortunately, his prize fell from his saddlebag later in the day. It was an unlucky turn of fate in an otherwise spectacular example of colonial campaigning. He transferred into the Liverpool Regiment in 1905, became a Major in the West African Regiment in 1907 and retired in 1910. Recalled to his Regiment on the outbreak of hostilities, Porter saw service in the European theatre until 1917. He died on 22 June 1939.