Reginald Portal facts for kids

Admiral Sir Reginald Henry Portal, KCB, DSC (born September 6, 1894 – died June 18, 1983) was a Royal Navy officer. He was a pioneer in naval aviation. Sir Reginald served bravely in both the First and Second World Wars.

Who Was Sir Reginald Portal?

Sir Reginald Portal was an important officer in the British Royal Navy. He helped develop how planes were used by the navy. He was known for his courage and leadership.

Early Life and Family

Reginald Portal was born on September 6, 1894. His family lived near Hungerford in Berkshire, England. His father, Edward Robert Portal, was a country gentleman. This meant he owned land in the countryside.

Reginald had an older brother named Charles. Charles Portal also became very famous. He later became a top leader in the Royal Air Force. Their family had a long history. They were originally from France and were called Huguenots.

Joining the Navy

Reginald Portal joined the Royal Navy in 1907. He was still quite young when he started his naval career. Before the First World War, he served on a large warship. This ship was called HMS Neptune.

World War I Hero

During the First World War, Reginald became an air observer. This meant he flew in planes to watch enemy movements. He showed great bravery during a fight over the Dardanelles. He was even wounded during this battle.

For his courage, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. This is a special award for bravery. He then worked on a ship called HMS Ark Royal. This ship carried seaplanes. After that, he returned to regular navy duties on the battleship HMS Colossus.