Cpt. Eugene CLEMENTI-SMITH D.S.O.

  General Notes:

CLEMENTI-SMITH - Lieutenant Eugene , DSO - 11th Batt. Imperial Yeomanry
Wounded at Harrismith 11th Sept. 1901. Died of wounds and pneumonia 4th Oct. 1901. Born 3 Dec. 1847 at Chigwell, Essex, son of Rev. John Smith and Cecilia Clementi. Had served in the Canadian Artillery (Winnipeg Field Battery, 1871). Served as High Commissioner and JP at Brandon, Manitoba. Helped raise the Manitoba Grenadier Regt and served as Lieut. in N.W. Canada (medal, MID). Returned to England 1890, joined Middlesex Yeomanry. Awarded the DSO in 1901.

Silver medal commemorating Captain Eugene Clementi-Smith DSO, Imperial Yeomanry, 1902.

Clementi-Smith (born at Chigwell, Essex, in 1847) served in the Canadian forces, joining the Winnipeg Field Battery in 1871 and received the North West Canada Medal for services in the Riel Rebellion (1885), as well as a mention in despatches. He returned to England and joined the Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) Yeomanry Cavalry in 1890, becoming their musketry instructor.

Commissioned into the Imperial Yeomanry in July 1901, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for bravery in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902). He was wounded on 11 September 1901, while leading the 'Clementi Scouts' in defence of a position under enemy attack at Georgina (Orange River Colony). Clementi-Smith was later killed in action on 4 October 1901 at Harrismith. This medal, depicting him in profile wearing a bush hat, was presented by the City Rifle Club. NAM Accession Number: NAM. 1998-02-161-1
National Army Museum, Study collection.

Lieut. E. Clementi-Smith (since died of wounds), on 11 Sept. 1901, in
Harrismith district, advanced alone to occupy a position Boers were making
or, and though wounded through right shoulder, continued to fire from left,
keeping enemy off till he was reinforced. Awarded D.S.O. by War Office
Telegram No. 9599, dated 9 Oct. 1901." His father was formerly Head
Master of Mercers' School and Chaplain of the Company. Lieut. Clementi–
Smith was educated at the Mercers' School, and his brother, the Rev. P.
Clementi-Smith (Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Doctors' Commons,
London, E.C.), as House Warden of the Mercers' Company, had the re–
sponsibility of arranging for the Memorial erected by the Mercers' Company
in their Chapel to Lieut. Clementi-Smith, Lieut. J. S, Watney and Private
F. J. Dubois. The N.R.A. have gold, silver and bronze medals which are
shot for annually, as a memorial of Lieut. Clementi-Smith's work in the
interests of rifle-shooting. He married, on 23 Nov. 1881, at St. Jude's
Church, Southsea, Wilhelmina Maria Barnes, daughter of James Barnes,
Esq., and their daughter is Lilian Clementi, born at Brandon, Manitoba,
Canada, 28 Aug. 1883. She married Major A. M. Matthews, R.G.A.
London Gazette, 10 Dec. 1901.-" War Office, lO Dec. 1901. The King
has been graciously' pleased to give orders for the following ... appoint–
ments to the Distinguished Service Order .. . in recognition of the services
of the undermentioned Officers during the operations in China. These
reward to bear the date of 29 Nov. 1900."

Eugene married Wilhelmina Maria BARNES, daughter of James BARNES and Unknown, on 23 Nov 1881 in St Jude's Church, Southsea, Hampshire, England.