Lieutenant Hamilton Clendining, MM & Bar
Hamilton Clendining was born on 10 January 1891 at Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, the fourth of five children of hotel keeper Robert Clendinning and his wife Margaret (formerly Black, née Rutledge). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Cloghcor, Derrybrusk, County Fermanagh, with his parents, two of his three surviving siblings, a half sister, and another relative.
In 1908 or 1909 Clendining enlisted in the North Irish Horse (regimental number not presently known). He served four years with the regiment (according to his Canadian enlistment papers - see below).
In September 1913 he emigrated to Canada. Following the outbreak of war, on 10 October 1914 he enlisted in the Canadian army at Toronto (No.55394), serving in France and Belgium with the 19th Infantry Battalion from 14 September 1915.
On 11 August 1916 he was awarded 21 days' Field Punishment No.1 for "corresponding contrary to censor regulations".
He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 9 April 1917.
Following the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9-12 April 1917) he was awarded the Military Medal:
For marked courage and devotion to duty in action. After a heavy attack on our front trenches, during which the enemy obtained a temporary lodgement, he made a thorough daylight reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and though continuously sniped at and under heavy shell fire, remained out until this was completed. He procured information which proved exceedingly valuable later in the action.
On 18 May 1917 he was made acting sergeant, and was confirmed in that rank on 15 July.
Following the Battle of Passchendaele later that year he was awarded a Bar to the Military Medal:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. on learning that a hostile party had raided our trenches, immediately collected a few men and pursued the retiring enemy with the intention of attacking them in the open. He succeeded in capturing one member of the enemy party whom he brought in and the remainder were driven from 'No Man's Land'. The quick decision and fearless leadership, which was displayed by this N.C.O. on this occasion is deserving of highest commendation. On several other occasions, exceptional gallantry has been displayed by him; his example and courage in Scouting and reconnaissance being a source of great encouragement to his section.
On 29 December 1917 he was commissioned as a lieutenant and posted to the 19th Battalion.
On 14 April 1918 at Arras he was severely wounded. According to the Battalion war diary:
A battle patrol of Lieut. Glendining and 20 O.R's covered by Lieut. Steward and 16 O.R's left our trenches at S.63.c.10.25 at 8.30 P.M with the object of rushing an enemy post and securing prisoners. Patrol proceeded in a north-east direction and rushed enemy post at S.6.d.00.70. The Germans occupying the post immediately ran away. Our party continuing after them ran into a large enemy covering party who stopped to give battle, bombing was commenced by both parties, our party then rushed the enemy Lieut. Clendining shooting one Hun through the head. A large enemy party of about 60 to 70 Huns had now arrived and commenced bombing our party, Lieut. Clendining and 3 O.R's being wounded. Our party then successfully withdrew under cover of Lewis Gun fire, bringing back all our casualties.
Clendining had sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to his left arm, left ankle and right buttock. Initially treated at the 45th Casualty Clearing Station, then at the Duchess of Westminster's Hospital, Le Touquet, on 8 May he was evacuated to England, where he was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital, Marylebone. He remained there until 9 July, when he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Officers' Hospital at Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. He was invalided to Canada in September and on 6 July 1919 was struck of the strength, being medically unfit.
Fermanagh Times, 9 May 1918
Clendining returned to Toronto where, on 3 September 1924, he married Isabel Esther Nelson. He died on 14 September 1962 in Toronto and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
At least one of Clendining's brothers, William Henry Clendining, also served in the war, in the North Irish Horse.
From Toronto Daily Star article about a Canadian pilgrimage to Vimy Ridge for the unveiling of the Vimy memorial on July 26, 1936.
Images sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees – contributors 'wake_robin' (Clendining) and Elizabeth Saville (headstone).
This page last updated 10 July 2026.