He was the son of Herbert Thomas Porritt, from Armley, Yorkshire in Britain.
His family returned to Britain soon after his birth and he was educated at Whitgift Grammar School in Croydon in London.
[1] Around 1909 he moved to Edinburgh as a chemist to the North British Rubber Company who had huge works in the Fountainbridge district (mainly making wellington boots and rubber hot water bottles).
[2] In 1920 he moved back to Croydon taking on the role of Director of the newly formed Research Association of the British Rubber and Tyre Manufacturers.
He remained in this post until his death, which occurred in Croydon, London, on 28 January 1940, a few days after his 56th birthday.