O.B.E./M.C. & BAR GROUP OF 10 MEDALS TO BRIG. J.B. CLEMENTS, FERRET FORCE & GURKHA REGIMENT

O.B.E. Gazetted 24 May 1966:

“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. Gazetted 8 Feb 1945:

“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. Gazetted 28 June 1945:

“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 was born in April 1921 and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the South Lancashire Regiment in Aug 1941, transferring to the Indian Army and appointed to the 3/8th Gurkha Rifles

Ferret Force

Granted a permanent commission after WWII he was advanced to Captain in Apr 1948 and transferred to the 2nd Goorkhas at Dehra Dun on 1 Nov 1947, joining the 2nd Battalion in Mar 1948. From July to Oct 1948, Clements was detached with a section of Gurkhas to “Ferret Force”, which with other sections of Gurkhas and Malays operated as guerillas in Pahang and Kelantan. Commanding a section of No.3 Group Ferret Force at Port Dickson between July and October 1948, Clements and the other two sections were responsible for killing 10 Communist bandits without loss. Each officer received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of their success. The Straits Times 10 Nov 1948 recorded the following:“The full story of the events that led to the first bayonet charge against bandits in the Sungei Siput area disclosed the highest bravery by Ferrets and Gurkhas. The three highlights of the operation were:- Ferrets grouped themselves around the body of a wounded comrade and fought until they were able to carry him to safety. - A Ferret officer and a handful of men stormed a machine-gun position of the bandits and overcame it.- Gurkhas fixed bayonets as they were being shot at from 30 yards range and, led by their officer, made a charge which ended in three Chinese being killed.On Saturday and Sunday, the Ferrets, Gurkhas and Police killed at least six bandits and wounded many others when they captured and destroyed a very important headquarters and training camp.”transferred to the 7th Gurkha Rifles in Aug 1950. Having then be promoted to Major in Apr 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 Sept 1957 to May 1959 Gazetted 4 Dec 1959:

“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 Apr 1949 refers), next witnessed active service in Borneo in the period Apr 1963 to Sep 1965, much of that time in command of the 1/2nd Gurkha Rifles. Advanced to Acting Brigadier in May 1971, he commanded the Malawi Army until Sep 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.