Source: Mentioned in War Diary April 1917
Earned the Military Cross: London Gazette. No. 30188.
Family Search: When Porteous Jerdan was born on 18 March 1890, in Colinton, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, his father, Gabriel Jerdan, was 40 and his mother, Anna Purves Porteous, was 31. He immigrated to New York City, New York, United States in 1935 and lived in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom in 1901 and Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1922. He registered for military service in 1916. In 1916, at the age of 26, his occupation is listed as insurance in Perth, Lanark, Ontario, Canada. He died on 2 December 1971, in Montreal, Montreal Urban Community, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 81, and was buried in Cimetière Mont-Royal, Outremont, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Dozens and dozens of news clippings from Montreal from 1914 to 1971 about this man. He was an active singer (baritone) and sung in many concerts and on the radio. He was active socially, especially golf, and in business.
Major C.C. Gwyn, on of the most popular and efficient of Officers was killed by a M.G. bullet, about 100 yards from the objective and Lieut. W.J. McLean was also killed while leading his men across “No-man’s-land”. After the death of Major Gwyn, Lieut. P. Jerdan[i] assumed Command of “B” Company, and did splendid work in consolidation and reorganization, as also did Lieut. D.A.G. Parsons who Commanded “A” Company.
18th Battalion War Diary. April 9, 1917.
Lt. Porteous, Can. Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He assumed command of the company, and led them with great coolness and initiative. He single-handed bombed a rifle grenade battery which was holding up one of the platoons, and forced them to surrender.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
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