Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eleven: Marine A. B. Clements, Royal Marines, a long served royal yachtsman

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (PO. 14799 Buglr., H.M.S. Proserpine); 1914-15 Star (PO. 14799 Pte., R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (PO. 14799 Pte., R.M.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (PO. 14799 Mne., R.M.), the earlier awards with contact marks and edge nicks, but otherwise generally very fine or better (11) £250-300

Albert Bernard Clements was born at Fisherton, Salisbury in November 1893 and enlisted in the Royal Marines as a Bugler in February 1908. He subsequently served aboard H.M.S. Proserpine from July 1910 until September 1912, and, as verified by his service record, shared in the prize money for operations against ‘gun running in the Persian Gulf 1910-11’.

A Private aboard the battleship Zealandia on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he served in the same ship until December 1916, and consequently shared in her honours in the Dardanelles campaign. Afterwards attached to Attentive II, the Dover Auxiliary Patrol base, from September 1917 until June 1919, he next joined the royal yacht Victoria & Albert. And from that date until the renewal of hostilities in 1939, he remained similarly employed, having re-enlisted in the R.M. to continue his appointment in the royal yacht in November 1932. He was duly awarded both the Jubilee 1935 and Coronation 1937 Medals (ADM 171/68 -69 refers).

On the outbreak of War in 1939, Clements joined the strength of President III, which establishment was the H.Q. for all personnel employed in Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (D.E.M.S.). And in March 1940 he was transferred to the Gosport base St. Vincent. He was discharged in August 1945 and died in November 1972.