Albert was born on the 2 December 1903 to William John and Emily (nee Miller) Porter, the fourth child of William & Emily who had been married in the 4Q 1891. With a son from her first marriage William Sansom 1889 then John 1893, Edward 1896, Charles 1898, George 1900 and Frederick 1907 completing the family unit living at 56, Langley Road, Portsmouth. William his elder brother also entered the Royal Navy as William Henry Sansom an Officer Steward, serving from 1911 to 1945. In 1921 the family were still living at 56, Langley Rd.

Albert enlisted when he walked up the gangway of HMS IMPREGNABLE the “Boy Training Ship” in Devonport dockyard on the 9 August 1920 aged 16 years and 8 months as a “Boy 2c”. On the 11 March  1921 rated up to “Boy 1c” and completed basic training on the 2 August 1921 and a draft to HMS DOLPHIN on the 3 August for a 2 month submarine training course before moving on to HMS MAIDSTONE based in Chatham on the 13 October 1921 where he joined H 42. On the 21 December with time served rated up to Ord Seaman.

H 42 sank on the 23 March 1922 a few miles South of Europa Point, Gibraltar after a high speed collision with another warship with the loss of all of her 26 man crew.

Ordinary Seaman Albert Ernest Porter was one of those who crossed the bar that day.