| Clements | Ralph Arthur Penrhyn | | Major | CLEMENTS, RALPH ARTHUR PENRHYN, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 9 February 1855, youngest son of the Reverend Jacob Clements, Sub-Dean and Canon Residentiary of Lincoln. He was educated at Rossall, and joined the 24th Regiment 2 December 1874; served in the Galeka and Zulu Wars, 1877-79 (Despatches; Medal with clasp); became Captain, South Wales Borderers, 4 December 1880, and Major 24 February 1886. He served with the Burma Expedition, 1885-89, as Brigade Major (thrice wounded; mentioned in Despatches; Medal with two clasps; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel; created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 30 May 1891]: "Ralph Arthur Penrhyn Clements, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, South Wales Borderers". Insignia, etc, sent to Commander-in-Chief in India; presentation 4 November 1891). He became Lieutenant Colonel 1 July 1887, and Colonel 4 December 1896; served in South Africa, commanding the 12th Brigade, and as Major General on the Staff (Despatches; Queen's Medal and three clasps; King's Medal and two clasps); was created a CB 1904; commanded a First Class District in India, 1904; became Lieutenant General. He died at Quetta 2 April 1909. The 'Times' of 3 April 1909, says, in an obituary notice of him: "His first active service was as a Lieutenant in the 24th Foot, during the South African War of 1877-79. In the Kaffir Campaign he was present at the Battle of Newmarks, and in the Zulu Campaign at the Battle of Ulundi. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26 February 1878], and received the Medal with clasp. Promoted to Captain in the South Wales Borderers in December 1889, and to Major in February 1886, he served on the Staff during this period as Brigade Major in the Burmese Expedition, and as APM. He was twice wounded in action, and was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 22 June 1886]; received the Medal with clasps, and the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel in July 1887. During the war in South Africa he served as Major General on the Staff, and also in command of the districts of Pretoria and Standerton-Heidelburg. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. Lieutenant General Clements was ADC to Queen Victoria from 1896, and to King Edward VII from 1901. He received the DSO in 1891, and a CB in 1904. From February 1900, he served in India, where from 1907 he commanded the 4th Division at Quetta. He died 2 April 1909, after an operation for appendicitis". All through the "Official History of the War in South Africa" we get accounts of the services of this distinguished officer. On page 404 of Vol I we read that "while the affair at Slingersfontein was in progress a welcome reinforcement arrived. Major General R A P Clements brought with him the 1st Royal Irish and the remainder of the 2nd Worcestershire men of his brigade (12th), in all an addition of 18 officers and 874 men. Clements was immediately placed in command of the Slingersfontein area". On 29 January 1900, Colonel J Watkins Yardley tells us in "With the Inniskilling Dragoons in South Africa" (page 20), "General French left for Cape Town to meet Lord Roberts and arrange for the famous Relief of Kimberley. He handed over the command of the forces before Colesberg to Major General Clements. These now consisted of the 18th Royal Irish, Worcesters, Berks, Wilts and Essex Regiments, J Battery RHA, four 15-pounders, 4th RFA, two howitzers, Victorian Mounted Rifles, South and West Australian Mounted Infantry, etc, but early in February they were much weakened by the departure of all the Regular Cavalry, except B and C Squadrons, Inniskilling Dragoons, for Orange River, en route to Kirnberley. A Squadron, Inniskilling Dragoons, was attached to the Scots Greys, and left with them for Modder River. The Boers at this time were in great strength at Colesberg, nearly 10,000 strong, with many guns, and were most aggressive. They were daily being increased, whereas our forces were being lessened for the Kimberley relief. So General Clements was left in a most trying position, but he proved himself equal to the task". Colonel Yardley goes on to describe the fighting, throughout February, which, culminated in the capture of Colesberg on 28 February On 7 March the Inniskillings in advance seized Norval's Pont. On 20 March "General Clements started to march to Bloemfontein, via Philippolis, Jagersfontein and Fauresmith ... The columns marched to Bloemfontein without opposition, the inhabitants coming in and surrendering their arms. The march occupied sixteen days, the forces arriving at Bloemfontein on 5 April". Later on in his book (pages 222-3) Colonel Yardley tells us how, on 13 December, news was received of General Clements's disaster in the Magaliesburg, so headquarters, with the remainder of the Inniskillings, under Major Allenby, marched the same day in great haste with the 1st Cavalry Brigade to his assistance. Having reached Vlakfontein Farm, near Houtkop, a lamp message was received to move on at 3 am and join Colonel Gordon at Jaroosfontein. This having been done, the brigade moved on by Van Wyk's Rust to the Roodepoort mines, and by another night march to Krugersdorp. Being Dingaan's Day, it was expected that the Boers would attack Krugersdorp. The 14th Hussars joined by rail from Heidelberg, and the brigade marched at 3 am, with the 14th Hussars, Scots Guards and Dublins in support, to co-operate with General Clements to the north-west. "We heard his guns firing heavily all the morning. Near Zeekoehoek we came on the flank of some 2,000 to 3,000 Boers, under De la Rey, falling back west before Clements. Unfortunately we were too late, and they got away with some casualties. Bivouacking at Vaalbank, we started again at 4 am, but only succeeded in slightly engaging the Boer rearguard, which was retiring south-west. Colonel Gordon was now appointed to command the whole force, Colonel Hamilton, 14th Hussars, taking command of the Brigade next day. General Clements, supported by Alderson's Mounted Infantry, attacked Naauwpoort Hill, to the west of us". On 9 January 1901, Colonel Yardley tells us that "the Inniskillings, 14th Hussars, two guns and a pom-pom, all under Major Allenby, reconnoitred towards Breedt's Nek, and got into communication with General Clements".
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | South Wales Borderers |
