James Cleminson
Sir James Arnold Stacey Cleminson Second World War. He subsequently became chief executive, and then chairman, of Reckitt & Colman. Active from that period in the Confederation of British Industry, he became its president in 1984.
Cleminson was born in 1921 in
Italian Campaign. He subsequently joined the Parachute Regiment as a captain and participated in the Battle of Arnhem, where his platoon ambushed and killed the German garrison commander Major-General Friedrich Kussin. During the fighting, Cleminson found himself trapped in an attic with Major-General Roy Urquhart, who took exception to Cleminson's moustache, which he called "damned silly". For three days he fought in the village of Oosterbeek until he was wounded and captured. For his defence of the perimeter, Cleminson was awarded the Military Cross. He was later featured in the film A Bridge Too Far, played by Michael Graham Cox.[1]
In early 1945, Cleminson was freed by American forces and accompanied Urquhart to
1973–75 recession. He remained there until 1986, spending the last two years as president, before retiring from both positions to become chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board.[1][2]
In retirement, Cleminson held a number of chairman and board positions and was particularly active in
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
. He was a keen sportsman.
On Cleminson's death aged 89 in September 2010, he was survived by his wife Judy and three children. He is buried in the graveyard of Barsham Church in Suffolk.[1] Lady Cleminson died in 2019 at the age of 88.
Notes
- ^ a b c "Sir James Cleminson". The Daily Telegraph. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Sir James Cleminson". The Guardian. 3 October 2010.