Portal, Gerald Herbert 1858-1894

Sir Gerald Herbert Portal was born on the 13 March 1858 in Laverstoke, Hampshire, England, and educated at Eton. He married Lady Alice Josephine Bertie, daughter of the seventh Earl of Abingdon, in February 1890.

Sir Portal entered the diplomatic service in July 1879, and, after the usual period of probation in the foreign office, was sent to Rome in June 1880. He became third secretary of legation in July 1881. In June 1882 Portal was temporarily attached to the consulate-general at Cairo. This was a critical period in the history of British relations with Egypt, and Portal was present at the bombardment of Alexandria (receiving for his services on that occasion a medal with clasp and the khedive's star).

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