Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Ypres’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant E. G. Port, 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment, and Machine Gun Corps

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6605 C.S. Mjr. E. G. Port, 2/E. Kent Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, S.A. 1902 (6605 Pte., E. Kent Regt.); 1914-15 Star (6605 C.Q.M. Sjt., E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut.); Special Constabulary Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Ernest G. Port) some contact marks and edge bruises but generally very fine or better (6) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry near Ypres on 3 May 1915 in holding on to a trench to the last, covering the retirement of his men to another position. The enemy, of whom he killed many, were only a few yards away.’

Ernest George Port was born on 29 August 1883, at Ash, near Sandwich, Kent. He enlisted under age, giving his date of birth as 1 August 1882, and served in the ranks for more than 32 years. He qualified in the Maxim Gun at the School of Musketry, Hythe, in March 1912. After winning the D.C.M. as a Company Sergeant Major, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Buffs on 29 September 1915, transferring to the Machine Gun Corps in May 1916. He was subsequently wounded, retired on half pay on 20 February 1918, and joined the Special Constabulary.

The Port family had a remarkable record of service with the Buffs, with no less than eight members serving in the regiment, and another two in different regiments, both of whom were killed.