Carte-de-Visite atelier the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, London

Cornet G. Porter c. 1864

Gerald Montgomery is listed on the register of candidates for the Queen's India Cadetships.

He joined the Army in 1863 ; the London Gazette published on September 11th 1863 :
"15th Foot, Gentleman Cadet Gerald Montgomery Porter, from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Nicholas Hamond, whose appointment, as notified in the Gazette of the 8th instant, has been cancelled."

He wouldn't stay long in the Infantry, as the London Gazette published on October 16th 1863 :
"7th Hussars - Lieut. Richard Topham to be Capt. by purchase, vice John B. Phillipson, who retires : Cornet John Gaspar Watkins Le Marchant to be Lieut., by purchase vice Topham ; Ensign Gerald Montgomery Porter, from the 15th Foot, to be Cornet, Vice Le Marchant."

Cornet Porter left for India in 1865. He became Lieutenant on July 13th 1867.
He came back to England with the Regiment in 1870, reaching Portsmouth on board the Indian Troopship Crocodile on April 8th.
He will retire from the Service on March 26th 1872, receiving the value of.his commission.

The backplate of the photographer refers to some 1862 prize. Mr Porter wearing on his collar the pip showing Cornet rank, it can be assumed that this photo was taken between October 1863 and his departure for India in 1865.

He and Mary Blackwood Porter will have issue - their son Aubrey blackwood Porter, Lieutenant in the 4th Bn. Highland Light Infantry (attached 2nd Bn), will die at 24 on October 3rd, 1915, while leading an attack on the german trenches at Vermellesat the battle of Loos. He was born in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire - Kelly's Directory for 1891 registers "Captain Gerald Montgomery Porter" as living there at "the Lodge" (which is interesting as Aubrey's obituary states he is the "son of the late Lt. Gerald M. Porter (7th Hussars)").

Lieutenant Porter is wearing the 7th Hussars pouch belt, without chain and prickers. He's certainly sporting a most impressive Busby of the early tall (!) pattern. Note the way his busby cap are tied to the collar after this Regiment's fashion.