TOPIC:

Sergeant Percy Brook Clements was in D Troop of the Matabeleland Mounted Police at the time of the Jameson Raid. Captured, he was repatriated to the UK on the Harlech Castle, but returned to South Africa, leaving the UK on 14 March 1896 on board the Lismore Castle.

I have read that his medals are in the Gwelo Military Museum.

Here is an outline of his life:

He was born in 1866 in Barbados, the son of Inspector General of Police John and Ellen Otte Golding. He served in the 10th Hussars 1884-93. Served in the Mashonaland Mounted Police (Sergeant), in D Troop in the Matabele War of 1893. A Jameson Raider, he was captured at Doornkop, 2 January 1896. Repatriated to England aboard the Harlech Castle, 24 January 1896. Resided as No 3 Colchester Square, London. Served in the Matabeleland Relief Force (Regimental Sergeant Major) in 1896. Served in District 2 of the Cape Police during the Boer War. Drill instructor for the BeR and MCC. Lieutenant, 1st SAMR, 1 April 1913. Served in the Great War. Served in GSWA, 20 August 1914. Captured by the Boer Rebels at Sandfontein in 1914. Released c July 1915. Military Commandant, Swakopmund, 1915. Adjutant, 1st SAMR in 1916. Participated in the Mandune expedition, 1917. DAQMG, 1918. Retired (age clause) 16 June 1918. He married in Rhodesia and had two daughters. He died of heart failure and bronchitis in Victoria Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Town, 5 September 1946. He is buried in Plumstead Cemetery, Wynberg, Cape Town.

These guys certainly led interesting lives and travelled a bit. Interesting how, why and when he acquired the surname 'Clements', or was it simply that his mother's maiden name was Golding. Being in D Troop and the MRF, my grandfather probably knew him!

Picture courtesy of DNW

BSACM Rhodesia 1896 (0) (...te. Geo. Woodford 2 W. Rid...);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, last two clasps both tailor’s copies (4346 Pte. G. Woodford. W. Riding Regt.);
KSA (2) (4346 Pte. C. Woodford. W. Riding Regt.)

Heavy edge bruising and contact marks, especially to first, with suspension loose on this, the BSA therefore fair, the Boer War awards fine.

Picture courtesy of DNW

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse undated, (1) Mashonaland 1890 (Tpr. Glover, J. - B.S.A.C.P.);
QSA (2) Defence of Mafeking, Transvaal (2519 Tpr: J. Glover. B.S.A. Police);
KSA (2) (Lieut: J. Glover. Driscoll’s Scts.)

John Glover attested for the British South Africa Company's Police on 19 January 1890, and served in “C” Troop in the Pioneer Column of 1890. He was discharged from the same troop on 8 October 1890.

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse DSO VR., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar converted for mounting;
British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, (0) (Lieut. R. H. F. McCulloch. R.A.);
QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (Capt: R. F. H. McCulloch, DSO, R.G.A.) last letter of surname officially corrected;
1914 Star, with clasp (Major R. F. H. McCulloch. DSO R.G.A.);
BWM and VM with MID oak leaves (Brig. Gen. R. F. H. McCulloch.);
Italy, Kingdom, Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus, Officer’s breast badge, gold, silver-gilt, and enamel, with rosette on riband;
France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamel, with rosette on riband;
Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917

One of only 7 Distinguished Service Orders awarded for this campaign, this being unique to the Royal Artillery.

DSO LG 7 May 1897:
‘In recognition of services in the recent operations in South Africa, 1896.’

Italian Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus LG 12 September 1918.

French Legion of Honour LG 13 February 1917.

French Croix de Guerre LG 17 August 1918.

Robert Henry Frederick McCulloch was born in October 1869 and joined the Royal Artillery in 1888, receiving promotion to Lieutenant in 1891. He commanded a section of 10 Mountain Battery, R. A., during the Matabeleland operations of 1896, was slightly wounded, Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the DSO In his report, Major-General F. Carrington stated that McCulloch ‘worked his gun with great coolness and steadiness when the enemy were in force within 50 yards of him in the attack on Sikimbo on 5 August 1896. He remained with his gun after having been wounded.’

McCulloch's section had been operating in co-ordination with a force of men raised by the British South Africa Company. He had already witnessed a great deal of fighting during the advance on Bulawayo, which culminated with the capture of the Matabele strong holds in the Matoppo Hills. The incident referred to in Major-General Carrington’s report was probably the biggest of the campaign, five Impis being attacked by a combined Imperial Force of 800 men. The enemy were completely routed. However, at the outset of the action, when McCulloch and another gunner subaltern were ordered to detach themselves from the main force, and set up position on a ridge, the fast moving Matabele swept in for the kill, creeping up gullies under the cover of the bush. But for the prompt actions of McCulloch and his compatriot, it is probable the detachment would have been wiped out.

Promoted to Captain in 1899, McCulloch served throughout most of the Boer War as DAAG on the lines of communication in Cape Colony. He afterwards became a Divisional and Militia Adjutant and held the rank of Major by the outbreak of hostilities in 1914. Picked out for command of heavy artillery, he held several senior positions, ultimately as Brigadier-General, Heavy Artillery, 11 Army Corps, France. He was created a CMG in 1918, was twice Mentioned in Despatches (LGs 15 June 1916 and 30 May 1918) and was decorated by the French and Italians. He retired in 1921 and died in Hayling Island, Hampshire, on 16 October 1946.