I Dedicate
THIS WORK TO THE MEMORY OF
MY ONLY SON,
REGINALD DA COSTA PORTER,
LIEUTENANT IN THE CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS,
WHO WAS HIMSELF A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN.
HE WAS SLAIN IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY,
LIKE SO MANY OF HIS ILLUSTRIOUS PREDECESSORS,
HAVING BEEN KILLED WHILST TAKING PART IN
THE EXPEDITION TO EGYPT IN 1882.
HIS REMAINS LIE IN THE ISLAND OF MALTA,
AMID THE KNIGHTLY DUST OF SO MANY WHO, LIKE HIM,
FELL IN THE SACRED CAUSE OF DUTY.
