From Private To Colour Sergeant.

British War Medal 1914 - 1920.
Victory Medal.
1998 A. C. Sjt. S. L. Clements, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Sidney Leopold Clements was born in Forest Gate, Essex, and is listed on the 1901 Census as a 16 year old clerk, living with his father Stephen, a 55 year old stationer, and his siblings, Ethel (18), Olive (14) and Stafford (13). The family home was an 8 room dwelling at 39 Windsor Road, Forest Gate. The 1911 Census records Sidney as still living at home with his father. Interestingly, his occupation is given as registrar to the North Western Uruguay Railway Company.

On the day following the outbreak of the Great War, Sidney Clements presented himself at Somerset House in order to enlist in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). His attestation papers note that he had previously served as a territorial soldier with the same Regiment. The papers describe him as 5' 9" tall and of good physical development.

On the 17th of March 1915, the 1/15th Londons landed in France and, as a member of the original Battalion, Sidney Clements became one of the "17th of March Men", henceforth the proudest title bestowed on the men of the Civil Service Rifles. Sidney served on the Western Front until late November 1915, when he was admitted to the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. He was suffering from jaundice.

On the 7th February 1916, Sidney Clements rejoined the 1/15th Battalion and now began his rapid rise through the ranks. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 3rd March and paid Lance Corporal a week later. He was promoted to Corporal on 6th April, appointed Lance Sergeant on 25th July and promoted to Sergeant on 4th September.

There followed another spell in hospital, this time in England at the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. Sidney was suffering from leg ulcers and although they rapidly improved with treatment, he had to stay in hospital for two months. Discharged from hospital on 25th November 1916, Sidney joined the 15th London Regiment's Depot and stayed in England until being posted back to the 1/15th Battalion on 17th July 1917.

On 22nd September, he was appointed Acting Colour Sergeant. Apart from two weeks' leave to England in early September 1918, Sidney would serve the rest of the war on the Western Front with the 1/15th Londons. He was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 9th January 1919, and finally sent back to England to be demobbed a month later. He was discharged from the army on 12th March 1919. On the 2nd July 1921, Sidney Clements received the two medals shown here. 

 

When the history of the Civil Service Rifles came to be written after the war, Captain P. Davenport, M.C., who chronicled the deeds of the 1/15th Battalion, acknowledged his indebtedness to several gentlemen, including S. L. Clements, who had helped in the preparation of the work. Sadly, as recorded in the National Probate Calendar of England and Wales, Sidney Leopold Clements of Barcombe, St Brannock's Road, Ilfracombe, Devonshire died on 22nd December 1933 at the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, Devonshire. His effects, valued at £434 2s 4d, were left to his widow, Clarissa Isobel Clements.