R. A. P. Clements
British Army general
Major-General Ralph Arthur Penrhyn Clements, (9 February 1855 – 2 April 1909) was a senior British Army officer.
Clements, the son of a churchman, fought in the Xhosa War of 1877–1878 and the Anglo-Zulu War as a junior officer. He was twice wounded during the Third Anglo-Burmese War while serving as a brigade major, being mentioned in dispatches. After commanding a battalion of the South Wales Borderers during the late 1890s, he was appointed a brigade commander during the Second Boer War. Clements commanded the Colesberg front in early 1900, but was surprised at the Battle of Nooitgedacht in December, managing to extricate his force from the latter. After the Boer War he served in India, rising to divisional command before his death.
Early life and career
Clements was born at Upton St Leonards on 9 February 1855, the son of Reverend Jacob Clements, a local sub-dean and Canon Residentiary, and was educated at the Rossall School. He transferred from the Royal North Lincoln Militia to the 24th Regiment of Foot in the Regular Army on 2 December 1874, and served as a lieutenant in South Africa. Clements fought at the Battle of Nyumaga during the Xhosa War of 1877–1878, being mentioned in dispatches on 26 February 1878. He became adjutant of his battalion on 27 July 1879 and served at the Battle of Ulundi during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.
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