Just having a look through my picture archive, and thought I would treat you to a, well rather interesting man.
I'm sure most of you know my area is medals, but I'm just getting into the British Airborne game, just under a year now, as well as being in & out of German bits as well.
Anyway on with the story
Brigadier General, William Fletcher Clemson.
"Attested for service with the York & Lancaster Regiment, as 2nd Lieutenant in16th November 1887.
Born, 31.3.1866; (Bolton)
Lieutenant 12.2.1890;
Captain 10.5.1899;
Adjutant 1900-1904;
Major 3.10.1906;
Lieutenant Colonel 25.4.1915;
Colonel 25.4.1919;
Brigadier General 4.11.1916, 29.9.15-20.6.18;
At the outbreak of war, he was a Major with the 2/York & Lancaster Regiment (second In Command), arrived in September 1914 (16th Brigade,6th Division), took part in the fighting at Ypres, Armentieres in late 1914.
With the CO Lieut Col E.C. Cobbold duties needed at a higher level, Clemson in late 1914 was now in overall command of the Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel 1915) this is the way it stayed until he him self was needed to command a Brigade due to the high number of casualties among senior officers as well as the more & more units being formed back in England.
So in September 1915 he was assigned to the 124th Infantry Brigade, (which consisted of the following -
10th (Service) Bn, the Queen's (joined June 1915)
26th (Service) Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
32nd (Service) Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
21st (Service) Bn (Yeomen Rifles), the King's Royal Rifle Corps
20th (Service) Bn (Wearside),
124th Brigade Machine Gun Company
124th Trench Mortar Battery
With the usual trench activity from late 1915 to early to mid 1916, Clemson remained in command.
As the preparations for the forthcoming offensive on the Somme are under way, He was wounded at 2am on the morning of the 9th June 1916 by Machine Gun Fire while visiting the front lines, with the length of time out of action the wound/s must he been a little worrying as he returned to duty on the 24th June 1916 only a week before the start of the battle.
During the pursuing action the 124th were severely involved in the fighting none more so at Delville Wood & Flers (the first ever tank action) with the help of these new machines together they captured Flers, but at the cost of high casualties during the next forward movements the brigade remained near Flers due to it's depleted force.
The next major action in which the now back to strength brigade was to take part in was "Passchendaele" east of Ypres was the location for his next role.
The Battle of the Menin Road - 20th - 25th September 1917.
For his bravery in leading his men forward, Clemson was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for the 20th.
His Citation is as follows
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his brigade appeared likely to be held up in an attack owing to hostile machine-gun fire, he proceeded to the front of the attack, and, rallying the leading troops, he led them successfully to their objectives. By his personal example and contempt of danger, he instilled new energy into the attack during a very critical period."
This was the last major action he saw on the westernfront as his time there was nearly over, The Division was selected as one of five British Divisions to be moved to Italy in November, as part of reinforcements, by all account he was much evolved over there as well, being awarded "twice" the Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus, returning as Inspector of Infantry 10.7.1918.
He retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1920 and went to live in Norfolk.
Admitted a life member of the British Legion 11th March 1922, he Married in 1923 to Mona, daughter of the late Capt George Stanley, CB, Royal Navy, He was Colonel in Chef of the York & Lancs Regt 1932 - 1936, but sadly his long and eventfull life came to an end on Thursday 12th December 1946, at the age of 80 yrs.
His awards
Companion, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George 1917
Distinguished Service Order - L/G, 23.6.15. (certinaly for his service in 1914/15)
Second Award Bar - L/G, 22.3.18. (20th Sept at Passchendaele)
French Croix De Guerre + Palm - L/G 1.5.1917.
Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus - March 1918.
"Rosette" to the Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus - November 1921
Mentioned In Despatches x5 , 31.5.1915; 30.11.1915; 13.11.1916; 9,5,1917; 7.11.1917.
Hope you enjoyed the read & the brief history of his Military life.
Scott
I'm sure most of you know my area is medals, but I'm just getting into the British Airborne game, just under a year now, as well as being in & out of German bits as well.
Anyway on with the story
Brigadier General, William Fletcher Clemson.
"Attested for service with the York & Lancaster Regiment, as 2nd Lieutenant in16th November 1887.
Born, 31.3.1866; (Bolton)
Lieutenant 12.2.1890;
Captain 10.5.1899;
Adjutant 1900-1904;
Major 3.10.1906;
Lieutenant Colonel 25.4.1915;
Colonel 25.4.1919;
Brigadier General 4.11.1916, 29.9.15-20.6.18;
At the outbreak of war, he was a Major with the 2/York & Lancaster Regiment (second In Command), arrived in September 1914 (16th Brigade,6th Division), took part in the fighting at Ypres, Armentieres in late 1914.
With the CO Lieut Col E.C. Cobbold duties needed at a higher level, Clemson in late 1914 was now in overall command of the Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel 1915) this is the way it stayed until he him self was needed to command a Brigade due to the high number of casualties among senior officers as well as the more & more units being formed back in England.
So in September 1915 he was assigned to the 124th Infantry Brigade, (which consisted of the following -
10th (Service) Bn, the Queen's (joined June 1915)
26th (Service) Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
32nd (Service) Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
21st (Service) Bn (Yeomen Rifles), the King's Royal Rifle Corps
20th (Service) Bn (Wearside),
124th Brigade Machine Gun Company
124th Trench Mortar Battery
With the usual trench activity from late 1915 to early to mid 1916, Clemson remained in command.
As the preparations for the forthcoming offensive on the Somme are under way, He was wounded at 2am on the morning of the 9th June 1916 by Machine Gun Fire while visiting the front lines, with the length of time out of action the wound/s must he been a little worrying as he returned to duty on the 24th June 1916 only a week before the start of the battle.
During the pursuing action the 124th were severely involved in the fighting none more so at Delville Wood & Flers (the first ever tank action) with the help of these new machines together they captured Flers, but at the cost of high casualties during the next forward movements the brigade remained near Flers due to it's depleted force.
The next major action in which the now back to strength brigade was to take part in was "Passchendaele" east of Ypres was the location for his next role.
The Battle of the Menin Road - 20th - 25th September 1917.
For his bravery in leading his men forward, Clemson was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for the 20th.
His Citation is as follows
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his brigade appeared likely to be held up in an attack owing to hostile machine-gun fire, he proceeded to the front of the attack, and, rallying the leading troops, he led them successfully to their objectives. By his personal example and contempt of danger, he instilled new energy into the attack during a very critical period."
This was the last major action he saw on the westernfront as his time there was nearly over, The Division was selected as one of five British Divisions to be moved to Italy in November, as part of reinforcements, by all account he was much evolved over there as well, being awarded "twice" the Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus, returning as Inspector of Infantry 10.7.1918.
He retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1920 and went to live in Norfolk.
Admitted a life member of the British Legion 11th March 1922, he Married in 1923 to Mona, daughter of the late Capt George Stanley, CB, Royal Navy, He was Colonel in Chef of the York & Lancs Regt 1932 - 1936, but sadly his long and eventfull life came to an end on Thursday 12th December 1946, at the age of 80 yrs.
His awards
Companion, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George 1917
Distinguished Service Order - L/G, 23.6.15. (certinaly for his service in 1914/15)
Second Award Bar - L/G, 22.3.18. (20th Sept at Passchendaele)
French Croix De Guerre + Palm - L/G 1.5.1917.
Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus - March 1918.
"Rosette" to the Italy Order of St Maurice & St Lazarus - November 1921
Mentioned In Despatches x5 , 31.5.1915; 30.11.1915; 13.11.1916; 9,5,1917; 7.11.1917.
Hope you enjoyed the read & the brief history of his Military life.
Scott
the DSO and BAR!!!!!!!! 
Comment