Lieutenant-Colonel O. C. du Port, (D.S.O.) Royal Field Artillery

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Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R. (silver-gilt and enamel), - complete with top bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 bars, Cape Colony, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek Lieut., “A” Bty. R.H.A.; 1914-15 Star Major, R.F.A.; BWM; AVM (unilingual) and M.I.D. oakleaf Lt. Col. Mounted court style for wear, cleaned. Ex DNW 15 December 2011 Lot ʋ 1044. 
D.S.O. London Gazette 4 June 1917. 
M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901; 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917; 18 May 1917; 20 December 1918; 5 July 1919.

 

Osmond Charteris Du Port was born on 9 July 1875. He was educated at Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy. He was commissioned on 2 November 1895. 
He served in the Boer War in Natal from 1899, including the actions at Talana and Lombard’s Kop and during the siege of Ladysmith where he was slightly wounded.

 

He next served in operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including the action at Laing’s Nek, operations in Transvaal, east of Pretoria, June to November 1900, including the action at Lydenberg. For his services he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the QSA with 6 clasps.

 

During the Great War he served in France and Flanders, from 31 May 1915 to 11 November 1918 and was in command of 35th Brigade RFA between 11 March 1916 and 4 February 1917.

 

He was five times mentioned in despatches, awarded the DSO, and received the brevet of Lieutenant Colonel on 3 June 1919. At the end of the War, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve of Officers on 2 May 1919.

 

Afterwards he farmed in Southern Rhodesia, was a member of the legislative Assembly of Southern Rhodesia, 1924 to 1928 and a Minister of Agriculture and Lands 1927 to 1928. He died on 21 June 1929.