3 BAR QSA, OFFICER, VOLUNTEER COMPANY, ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS

QSA 1899-1902 With clasps for Natal, Orange Free State & Transvaal
To-CAPT.G.D.PORTEOUS.VOL.COY.R.SCOT.FUS
George Dykes Porteous was born on 30th June 1875 in Maybole, Ayrshire, which is roughly halfway between Ayr and Girvan, the son of James S. Porteous who was the schoolmaster at Maybole Public School from 1869 onwards and still teaching there when it was renamed Maybole Ladyland School in 1891.

He was educated at Maybole Public School, which was created in 1845 when the three schools in Maybole (including the original parish school) united under the name of Maybole Public School.
The name was then changed in 1891 to Maybole Ladyland School. The school then assumed the title of Maybole Carrick Academy in 1905, and still later to become Carrick Academy.

In the 1891 census he is living with his father (his mother had passed away before then) and his sibling’s at Oakbank House in Maybole and his occupation was pupil teacher in public school – probably under his father.

He won a educational scholarship worth 20 pounds awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society of England in November 1892 (as did his brother Richard, also educated at Maybole Public school)

Before WW1 the 2nd Volunteer battalion (after 1908 named the 5th battalion, Territorial Force) consisted of a Headquarters and A Company based at Ayr Infantry Barracks, B Company at Catrine, C Company at Maybole, D Company at Stranraer, E Company at Cumnock, F Company at Troon, G Company at Muirkirk and H Company at Dalmellington.

Ayr Infantry Barracks was the regimental depot of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the also the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

The Girvan Memorial commemorates Girvan men from the 2nd VB who volunteered to serve in South Africa in the Boer War as a Volunteer Service Company with the 2nd Regular Battalion.

George Dykes Porteous was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, on 6th May 1893 (LG 5/5/1893), and promoted Lieutenant on 20th January 1894 (LG 19/1/1894).

He was granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the Army whilst serving with the Volunteer Company that was attached to the regular 2nd battalion in South Africa on 24th February, 1900 (LG 23/2/1900)

From “Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force 1859-1908”, page 269, covering the history of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers:
“A large number of men volunteered for the war in South Africa, and 2 officers and 62 men actually served, of whom Lieutenant G. D. Porteous and 54 other ranks belonged to the 1st Service Company and 4 men to the 2nd Service Section of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Lieutenant R. M. M. Buntine was also attached to the line battalion. Of the 1st Service Company, Lance-Corporal J. M'Chesney and Privates R. Gilmore and J. M'Lean died of disease.”

It appears he left South Africa and rejoined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 6th July 1901. (LG 5/7/1901).

However, he once again appears to have returned to South Africa as the London Gazette dated 11th February 1902 contains an entry stating that he was borne as Supernumerary for service in South Africa as of 24th December 1901, now in the rank of Captain.

He was granted the temporary rank of Captain in the Army whilst serving in South Africa on 24th December 1901 (LG 8/4/1902).

He rejoined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, from being a Supernumerary Captain (and honorary Captain in the Army) on the 5th March 1904. (LG 4/3/1904) but shortly afterwards he resigned his Commission on 23rd July 1904 (LG 22/7/1904).

He apparently emigrated to the USA in 1908 and by 1918 was living in Shoshoni, Fremont County, Wyoming, where work centred on the sheep ranching business.

He was registered for the US draft in September 1918, working as a stockman for Woodruff & (??) in Shoshoni.

In the enumeration of Shoshone as part of the US 1920 Census he is listed as single, and his occupation was sheep herder.

Captain George D. Porteous died in 1948 and is buried in Lake View Cemetery at Shoshoni, Fremont County, Wyoming, United States of America.

NEF & Complete with medal roll & war service details.

Code: 56508