Military Medal and Bar : Corporal J Climpson, 4 Division Signal Company, AIF

Military Medal and Bar (Geo V). Medal impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Joseph Climpson was born at Redfern, Sydney, in May 1894, and as a young man was employed as a printer. He also completed several years of compulsory cadet service, and then joined 16 Signal Troop of the Militia. He enlisted in the AIF immediately after the outbreak of war in August 1914, and presumably due to his previous experience, was allotted to the 1st Divisional Signal Company with the service number 78 (later 78A). He landed at Gallipoli with his unit on 25 April 1915, and was promoted to lance corporal the following day. Climpson served throughout the campaign, and was Mentioned in Despatches (along with a number of his 1 Div Sigs compatriots) for distinguished service in the action at Lone Pine in August. After the evacuation, the AIF was reorganised, and Climpson was transferred to the 4th Divisional Signal Company, with whom he served for the remainder of the war. During 1916, his gallant conduct at Pozières saw him awarded the Military Medal, and by the end of the year, he had been promoted to sergeant. He was awarded a Bar to the MM after the fighting a Bullecourt in April 1917, and having reached the rank of warrant officer, was selected for officer training late in the year. Climpson returned to 4 Div Sigs as a 2nd lieutenant in March 1918, and was almost immediately awarded the Military Cross for maintaining communications during the crucial fighting at Villers Bretonneux in April. Shortly afterwards he was evacuated after being gassed, but soon returned to his unit and was promoted lieutenant in June. After his return to Australia in June 1919, Climpson was discharged from the Army and soon enlisted in the NSW Police Force, with whom he served until 1954. He eventually reached the rank of sergeant 2nd class, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal. Joseph Climpson died in Cooma, NSW, in January 1973. The citation for the Military Medal reads as follows: ‘Corporal Climpson displayed bravery and endurance on the 31st August near POZIERES when he and a sapper repaired telephone wires for thirteen hours under heavy shell fire. This N.C.O. also did exceptionally good work during the 36 hours continuous bombardment which preceeded the German counter attacks at POZIERES on 7th August. During the whole time the Brigade was in action, this N.C.O. commanded his telephone detachment with conspicuous ability and contributed greatly to the maintenance of good communication .’ The citation for the Bar to the MM reads as follows: ‘At BULLECOURT on 10th., 11th and 12th. April 1917 for conspicuous good work and steadfast devotion to duty prior to and during the attack on the HINDENBURG LINE. This N.C.O. was in charge of the linesmen at the advance Brigade Exchange situated in the Railway embankment S.E. of BULLECOURT and was responsible for the maintainence of communications from Battalions to Brigade Hqrs. Through his efforts this was kept up almost continuously under heavy enemy barrage and though wounded, he remained ay (sic) his post until the retirement was completed.’