Order Of The British Empire (Military). 5th class Member (M.B.E.) 2nd type breast badge. Attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Alfred Porter, M.B.E., King's African Rifles late East African Army Service Corps & Royal Fusiliers

The insignia sold as a set, complete with:

A). Royal Mint plush leatherette hinged case of issue. The inside silk panel with King's Crown Royal Mint logo, and title of award in gilt tooling on outer lid

B). The silk medal riband retaining it's 'Sterling' marked mounting brooch, with hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued

C). Card insert 'Instructions as to wearing Insignia'

D). Letter from the Central Chancery dated 23 October 1967, to the recipients next of kin pertaining to the insignia awarded to the late Colonel Frederick Alfred Porter, M.B.E., King's African Rifles

Award verification: The award is confirmed as an award for services to East Africa Command, Nairobi, Kenya Colony, 1941-42. Published in the London Gazette issue of 8 July 1943

The official recommendation for the award - originally recommended for an O.B.E., and downgraded to M.B.E. - is quoted below:

Quote,

Major Porter has at all times displayed outstanding devotion to duty. His zeal, keeness, and ability, greatly facilitated the rapid progress of mobilization and organisation of the E.A.A.S.C., and ever since he has played a most important part in the provision, allotment and distribution of M.T. vehicles and M.T. Stores.

Unquote.

Medals verification: Although British Army - including King's African Rifles - campaign medal rolls for the Second World War are not yet in the public domain, the recipient is known to have been entitled to a number of campaign medals for his services during both World Wars including - but not restricted to - the below following:

- Order of the Order of the British Empire: Member, M.B.E. (Military): London Gazette issue of 8 July 1943
- Mention-in-Despatches: London Gazette issue of 30 June 1942 (an award for Middle East July-October 1941)
- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/791 medal roll shows Royal Fusiliers attached King's African Rifles
- Interallied Victory Medal 1914-19 : WO 329/791 medal shows Royal Fusiliers attached King's African Rifle- The 1939-1945 Star. No clasp: Awarded in respect of MID award in Middle East Jul-Oct 1941
- Africa Star: Kenya qualifying service was 10/06/40 to 27/11/41
- War Medal: Awarded for minimum 28 days aggregated service

Frederick Alfred Porter, son of William Robert Porter (a Bricklayer) & Emily Porter (nee Aubury) was a native of Lambeth, London, England, where he was born on, 1895. At the time of the compilation of the 1911 National Census for England & Wales, Frederick (16 years of age) is recorded employed with the Civil Service as a Telegraph Messenger, and living at the family home together with his parents and younger brother, Frank Redvers Porter, at their residence located at, 137 Lower Kennington Lane, Lambeth. S.E., London. England. Frederick, was described as a 'Clerk' when he volunteered & enlisted in the British Army on 1 September 1914, at which time he was 19 years of age when he attested at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey, England. He was posted to the Royal Fusiliers, and received the regimental number GS/74303. For his services in the Great War he was awarded the British War and Interallied Victory Medals, his Medal Index Card showing that his final rank held being Warrant Officer (II), with the regimental number GS/142033. Frederick's subsequent service in East Africa, in Kenya Colony, appears to have encompassed service circa 1920-1945. United Kingdom Passenger Shipping Manifests for the inter-war years, show numerous mentions of Frederick making voyages to and from East Africa, variously described as a Soldier, Civil Servant, Army etc. He had been commissioned prior to the Second World War, nd was holding the rank of Lieutenant in 1939. He was serving with the Royal Army Reserve of Officers when he was recalled / mobilized for War Service'. By professional default, specifically his considerable experience with African soldiers - or Askari's - made Frederick a 'shoe-in' for employment attached to the Kings's African Rifles and East African Army Service Corps. With a brace of awards - M.B.E. & MID - in recognition of his services in the Middle East and East Africa - on reaching his age limitation, Frederick resigned his officers commission (62222) with effect from 5 December 1945, at which time he has been holding the appointment of War Substantive Major. On retirement, Frederick was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel

Condition: EF

Code: 24589