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Auction: 16001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 397

(x) A Well-Documented I.G.S. to Captain P.A.A. Clery, Indian Army
India General Service 1908-35, G.V.R., four clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps (Lieut P A A Clery, S W Militia), minor edge bruising, good very fine

Captain Percy Arthur Adamson Clery, was born in Chelsea in June 1899, the son of Colonel C.B.L. Clery C.B., and was educated at Wellington College. The 1916 Wellington Year Book has Clery as Head of Combermere House, Captain of Fives, Captain of Second Rugby XV, and a member of the Cricket XI, finishing that year eighth in the batting averages and second in the bowling averages. His performances were summarised in the Year Book 'A steady bat but rather lacking in confidence, and is apt to get out leg before. As a bowler, keeps a good length, but must learn not to bowl no-balls. Has been very useful as a fielder in the slips.'

Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Indian Army, 31.1.1918, he served as a Company Officer to the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) Regiment attached to the South Waziristan Militia, a posting which '...was a tough life, suitable for British Officers with a love of action and adventure...' Promoted Lieutenant, 31.1.1919, he subsequently served with the Kurrum Militia from 21.12.1918 as Wing Officer. Promoted Captain, 31.1.1923, he transferred to the 16th Punjab Regiment, and was later appointed Company Officer of the 4/16th, 26.11.1928; further promotions for this Officer from a respected family could have been expected, however the Gazette of India, 21.9.1929 under the heading 'Dismissals, Removals and Discharges, Indian Army', stated 'Captain Percy Arthur Adamson Clery, 4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regimen (Bhopal), is dismissed the service by sentence of a General Court Martial, Dated 5 September 1929.' Further research has unfortunately revealed little as to the exact reason for his dismissal, bar a transcript dated 14.10.1929 confirming 'Scandalous Conduct' the cause of his dismissal.

An article entitled 'Percy Arthur Adamson Clery, South Waziristan Militia: His Rise and Fall' features in The Journal of The Orders and Medals Research Society, June 2003, Volume 42, Number 2, Pages 108-112.

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£420