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RAF Uniforms - Air Marshall Sir Kenneth Porter

SOLD

Code: U25425

RAF Officers(Home Service) uniforms of the late Air Marshall Sir Melvin Kenneth Drowley Porter KCB, CBE, CENG, FIEE, FRAeS, FBIM. He was born on 19th November 1912 to parents Flight Lieutenant Edward Ernest Porter MBE, DCM & Helen Porter. At the age of sixteen he joined the RAF as a technical apprentice at Halton. Selected to attend the RAF College, Cranwell, he was commissioned into the service in 1932. He had postings with No.2 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron and the Fleet Air Arm (825 Squadron, HMS Eagle), specialising in signals and communications, entering the war as chief signals officer, Balloon Command. He remained in communications throughout the war serving as Deputy Signals Officer, later Chief Signals Officer (CSO) of HQ 11 Group, Fighter Command during 1940 and through to 1942. In 1943 he was CSO of 83 Group, RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) during preparations for D-Day, and Acting Air Commodore Bomber Command (1944-5). For his war service, Porter was awarded an OBE (1942), upgraded to a CBE in 1945. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches on three occasions. Porter remained in the RAF after the war commanding both No.1 & No.2 Air Signallers Schools (1952-1954) and returned as CSO HQ 2nd TAF (1954-1955). He then served as CSO HQ Fighter Command c. 1955. By 1960 he was Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Maintenance Command c. 1966-1970, during which time he was appointed Air Marshall. Between 1968 and 1970 he was Head of RAF Engineer Branch, after which he retired.
Here we are offering a good post 1953 selection of Porter's uniforms. These include his No.1 RAF Service Dress uniform (Home Service) comprised of his tunic tailored by Gieves, with padded Queen's crown (QC) pilot wing, ribbons for KCB, CBE, 1939-45 star, France & Germany star, Defence and War medals with MID leaves, 1953 Coronation medal, US Legion of Merit. There are stitched loops on the pocket for an Order. The cuffs have Air Marshall rank lace. The tunic has anodised QC buttons and belt buckle. The manufacturer's label is named to Porter and 10/1965 dated. It comes with matching trousers with similar label/date. Also his Air Officer's Service Dress cap tailored by Bates of London. This has the distinctive double row of bullion leaves on the leather peak and Air Rank bullion cap badge. It has Porter's initials on the inner leather band and comes in the original card box, clearly named to him. Next is Porter's No.5 Mess Dress (Home Service) uniform. This is comprised of a jacket with miniature bullion pilot wing, gold Air Marshall rank lace and brass QC buttons. Also his matching waistcoat with brass King's crown buttons and trousers. Each with matching Gieves labels and all named to Porter. There is even a set of braces and his leather dress gloves. Finally there is Porter's Officer pattern Greatcoat tailored by Burtons. This has the correct Air Rank epaulettes/shoulder boards (brass QC buttons) and anodised QC buttons. Overall condition is excellent, the uniforms are clean and only have very minor moth damage. The most affected item is the crown of the cap which does have a few moth holes as shown. The uniforms come with two photographs of Porter in uniform outside Bentley Priory c. 1957, and another of him in Service Dress with cap. There is also some basic research and obituaries. This lot was sold at Bosleys in 2003 and the orginal auction catalogue page is included. A fine selection of Air Rank uniforms. Stock code U25425.

N.B. Very bulky/heavy - postage is estimated. It could be less...