A fan on 'Fon'

Sir,

A quick note to applaud your coverage of Ton’ Portago (May issue). What a hero! How sad that modem times appear to have squeezed out these great individuals — many English — who once filled the vintage editions of Boy’s Own with their adventures.

Like Beau Brummell when in the cavalry, being guided to his spot by seeking the trooper with the big nose, Fon put a mark on his car to make sure he sat in the right one. And I believe Portago’s eventual intent was politics.

The Portagos were amazing people: one — following a shipwreck — walked along the coast of the USA recruiting an army as he went. The late Ken Purdy knew a lot about them, and Fon of course, and for sure there has to be a great book just waiting to be written.

I am, Yours etc, David Kinsella, Wimbledon