Name
Clement Edward Glenister
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Clement Glenister was born on 23rd July 1897 at Abbots Langley. He was one of four children (one son and three daughters) born to Edwin and Caroline Glenister. In the 1901 and 1911 Census the Glenister family lived at the High Street, Abbots Langley. Edwin worked as a Carpenter and Builder.
Clement was first mentioned in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in March 1915, where as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, he was listed serving aboard the battleship HMS “Princess Royal”. An extract from a letter from Clement was printed in the Parish Magazine that month, showing how a battleship prepared for action –
“Every Friday we will have to go to general Quarters ie to our action stations – everyone is behind armour. The decks are flooded so as to prevent shells from causing fire, and so you can see what a state the ship gets into in action – both the ship’s office and gunroom are no exception. My action station is on the lower deck, with the surgeon, behind 11 inches of armour ……… I have been supplied with a swimming collar, in case I should be thrown into the water, also with a pad to put over my mouth, to prevent me from breathing in lyddite fumes, which are poisonous.”
In the May 1915 Parish Magazine, Clement was listed with the rank of Lieutenant, and was still listed in the Parish Magazine serving with HMS” Princess Royal” in May 1916, when the battleship took part in the Battle of Jutland. At some point late in 1916 he transferred to HMS “Glory” and in March 1918 the Parish Magazine reported
‘Clement Glenister, whom we have been glad to welcome home after his long absence, has been gazetted Assistant Paymaster. He holds in addition, the post of Clerk to the Senior Officer on HMS "Edgar".’
He remained with HMS “Edgar” through to the end of the War and was listed serving with this ship in the Autumn 1918 Absent Voter Records, but by the Spring and Autumn Absent Voter Records for 1919 he had transferred to HMS “Caesar”. He continued serving in the Royal Navy after the War and attained the rank of Captain. On 24th July 1924 he played his first First Class cricket match, representing the Navy against the Army. The match was played at Lords. He continued to represent the Royal Navy at cricket until 1929, playing four First Class games, scoring 104 runs (highest score 49) and taking 9 wickets. In the 1928-29 soccer season he represented England three times. Later in his career he was awarded the CBE.
Clement Glenister survived the War, as did his cousin Francis, and his uncle George.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
