Orders, Decorations and Medals

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (4572 Lce. Corpl. W. R. Clements, 1st Bn. The Buffs)nearly extremely fine £120-150

Lance Corporal W. R. Clements was severely wounded (gunshot) at the Bedmani Pass on 20 September 1897.

Extract from Despatch by Major General Blood, commanding Malakand Field Force:

‘In the afternoon I made a reconnaissance in force towards Kuz Chinarai, at the mouth of the Bedmani Pass, whereupon the enemy appeared at the adjoining mouth of the Mittai Valley in considerable force.

At about 9pm we were vigorously attacked by a force probably not less than 3,000 strong, with about 100 Martini-Henry rifles and several Lee-Metford rifles, besides many other fire-arms.

The attack was well carried out by rushes of swordsmen, covered by a smart fire of small arms, and the firing with rushes at intervals, sometimes against three sides of the camp at the same time. This went on until about 2am when the enemy drew off. They were nowhere to be seen at daylight when I sent the cavalry out in pursuit.’

The regiment suffered eleven casualties in this action and four days earlier Private James Smith of the Buffs gained the award of the Victoria Cross.