Patrick Anthony Porteous

Colonel Patrick Anthony Porteous VC was a distinguished Scottish officer in the British Army who served with the Royal Artillery and the British Commandos. During the early stages of World War II, he saw action in France and was successfully evacuated during the Dunkirk evacuation. He later joined No. 4 Commando, participating in critical operations across occupied Europe.

Porteous is most famous for his actions during the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942. Serving as a temporary captain, he showed extraordinary bravery when he took command of a detachment whose officers had been killed or wounded. He led a successful bayonet charge against a German battery, capturing the position and disabling the guns despite being severely wounded in the thigh and hand.

Following his recovery, Porteous continued his combat service, participating in the D-Day Normandy landings with No. 4 Commando. He survived the war and continued his military career, eventually retiring at the rank of Colonel. His conspicuous gallantry at Dieppe remains one of the most celebrated commando actions of World War II.