Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Borneo operations O.B.E., Second World War Burma operations M.C. and Bar group of ten awarded to Brigadier J. B. Clements, Indian Army, a long served Gurkha officer who was also awarded the M.B.E. for his services in Malaya in 1957-59

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.VI.R., with copy Second Award Bar, the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, S.E. Asia 1945-46, Malaya, M.I.D. oak leaf (Maj. J. B. Clements, M.C., 8 G.R.); General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Borneo, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. J. B. Clements, M.B.E., M.C., 1/2 G.R.); Coronation 1953, generally very fine and better (10) £3000-3500

O.B.E. London Gazette 24 May 1966. The original recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant-Colonel Clements has done three operational tours in Borneo, two of them as Commanding Officer of his battalion.

That, under his leadership, the Battalion has achieved first class results, is a matter of historical fact. It is the circumstances in which this has been done that are worthy of note. These include an acute shortage of experienced British officers which has meant that many of the Battalion’s operations have been personally planned by the Commanding Officer. Subsequently he has given the support of his wise and experienced presence to the young Company Commanders but has never sought to stifle their initiative. As a result he has built a battalion of high morale and real character which is rightly proud of its excellent record against the Indonesians.

This had been achieved, however, at the cost of enormous personal effort and it is doubtful if any C.O. has travelled further and more frequently in the cause of liaison with the civil authorities and the firm but kindly supervision of his widely scattered subordinates. Indeed, his personality dominates his area and this is wholly to the good; he can be found everywhere from the scene of an enemy contact to the local security meetings in the rear areas.

His tireless efforts over an aggregate of some 15 months have made a contribution to Borneo operations which few could hope to equal. His is now relinquishing his command of his fine battalion and some recognition of his services would be entirely fitting.’

M.C. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘During January-March 1944, Major J. B. Clements led his company with great skill and initiative throughout the Kabaw Valley operations, first at the battle of Kyaukchaw where much valuable information was obtained after successful clashes with the enemy, and again during the attack on the enemy position at Mile 26 on the Kyaukchaw Dathwekyauk Track, when he maintained the closest contact with the enemy positions continuously for a week, carrying out successful harassing operations including one very ingenious ambush and finally launching an attack which resulted in partial success against a very strongly defended enemy position.

Subsequently Major Clements assisted in the occupation of the piquet positions around Kyaukchaw, maintaining constant patrols against the enemy, and later figured prominently in the withdrawal of the Battalion from Maw to Moreh, and Moreh to Sibong.

During April 1944, this officer lead a bold attack on the feature known as Wireless Hill, showing coolness under enemy fire which was a fine example to his men.

The consistent coolness, daring and resource with which this officer has commanded his company throughout this period is worthy of high praise and recognition.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Major J. B. Clements has proved himself during these operations to be a Company Commander of outstanding ability, who is fearless in the face of the enemy and always calm and collected under even the heaviest fire.

On 20 May 1944, Major Clements led his company in a brilliant attack on Wireless Hill during the course of which he had to conduct the operations from an exposed position on the barren hillside, which was devoid of any cover, under heavy enemy fire. He inspired the final assault in to the enemy positions by his example. He was injured in the head, but in spite of his injury refused to be evacuated until his relief arrived, and the success of the attack had been ensured.

Again on 13 June 1944, during the attack on the Dome and Middle Ridge features, Major Clements captured his first objective, known as Right Buymp, and held it against enemy counter-attacks under heavy fire. This attack was carried out at night under appalling conditions of weather and terrain, and its success depended entirely on this officer’s skill and leadership. When day broke and the leading company was caught in an exposed position owing to a sudden and unexpected lifting of the morning mist, Major Clements showed great courage in assisting the forward company out of their very critical position, and finally withdrew his own company from close contact with the enemy according to plan. His calmness on this occasion undoubtedly saved many valuable lives.

Major Clements also conducted the protracted operations against the enemy in Kung village area throughout the latter half of June, with such initiative and daring that the enemy suffered extremely heavy casualties.

Throughout these operations Major Clements has set a very fine example to the whole battalion and has been responsible for the many successes secured by his company in all their encounters with the enemy. The courage and daring of this officer are worthy of the highest praise.’

John Bates Clements, who was born in April 1921, was originally commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the South Lancashire Regiment in August 1941, but transferred to the Indian Army shortly thereafter, with an appointment in the 3/8th Gurkha Rifles, in which capacity he was awarded the M.C. and Bar for the above cited deeds in Burma in 1944.

Granted a permanent commission after the War, he was advanced to Captain in April 1948 and transferred to the 7th Gurkha Rifles in August 1950. Having then bee promoted to Major in April 1955, he was awarded the M.B.E. for his services on attachment to H.Q., Gurkha Infantry Brigade Group in Malaya in the period September 1957 to May 1959 (London Gazette 4 December 1959, refers), the recommendation stating:

‘Major Clements is completing his second year as D.A.A. & Q.M.G. This has included periods of maximum operational intensity involving the deployment of six battalions and more, and the opening up and closing down of very large numbers of operational camps, spread over the greater part of Johore. With the end of Emergency Operations, his responsibilities cover three Garrison Areas, separated by 90 miles. His major task over the past year has been concerned with Works Services for rehabilitation and improvements to inferior accommodation set up to meet the fluid conditions that have prevailed during the last 10 years.

Major Clements is an officer possessing outstanding energy and drive, combined with an ability to distinguish major issues. He makes it his business to relate his problems to practical reality. He spends the minimum time in his office and confines his paper work to the barest essentials. He is personally known to all throughout the Brigade Group area, and has built up a reputation by successfully negotiating obstacles that would deter any but those commanding the utmost determination and resourcefulness. he never makes promises that he cannot fulfil, and never hesitates to give the full facts however unpalatable. Operationally many of his problems were complicated by many operational bases being accessible only to air and river transport. He met this as a challenge, and saw that reasonable amenities were provided.

Major Clements is not a showman nor is he guided by personal ambitions. He has gained the complete confidence of all he serves and a reputation for getting the maximum amount done in the minimum time, extracting effort from the most unexpected sources and achieving striking results.

Not only were his services invaluable during operations, when his Commander planned in the certain knowledge that a solution would be found for administrative problems, but the very great improvements in living conditions in what had come to be regarded as a station lacking in all forms of comfort and amenities, can largely be attributed to his resource, initiative and unremitting hard work.’

Clements, who had also been mentioned in despatches for earlier services in Malaya (London Gazette 8 April 1949 refers), next witnessed active service in Borneo in the period April 1963 to September 1965, much of that time in command of the 1/2nd Gurkha Rifles, and was awarded the O.B.E.

Advanced to Acting Brigadier in May 1971, he commanded the Malawi Army until September 1972, prior to taking up a post as D.A. at Seoul in the summer of 1973. He was placed on the Retired List as a substantive Brigadier in the mid-1970s.