Skipton Climo

Lieutenant-General Sir Skipton Hill Climo, (24 December 1868 − 31 March 1937) was a British officer of the Indian Army. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions during the Mohmand campaign of 1897–98. After serving in China, Climo commanded Indian troops during the First World War. He eventually assumed command of the Indian Army forces during the Waziristan campaign. After serving as the General Officer Commanding of the Poona District, Climo retired to Britain.

Early life Climo was born in Longford, the son of Colonel William Hill Climo (1838–1919) of the Army Medical Service and his wife Margaret (1843/4−1922). He was educated at Shrewsbury School

Military career In July 1889, while serving with the 1st Battalion in India, he was promoted lieutenant, and two months later transferred to the Indian Army and joined the 24th Punjabis, which became the 4th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922.

In 1897–1898, Climo served with the battalion at the siege of Malakand and the relief of Chakdara and the subsequent operations during the Mohmand campaign on the North-West Frontier. which was awarded personally by Queen Victoria on 17 November 1898, and in February 1899 promoted captain and brevet major. He was second-in-command of his battalion during the British expedition to Tibet in 1903–1904 In 1908, he served in the Mohmand expedition on the North-West Frontier and in the engagement at Kargha in May, On 22 June 1911, he was one of the Indian Army officers selected to represent the force at the coronation of King George V. In February 1912, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and took command of the 24th Punjabis. again mentioned in despatches in January 1916, appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in June 1916, and awarded the Order of the Nile 3rd class by the Sultan of Egypt in November 1916.

After recovering from his wounds, Climo served as a temporary brigadier-general and brigade commander from January to April 1916, commanded the Nowshera Brigade from May 1917 and was promoted major-general in June 1918. In 1919, he commanded the 3rd Indian Brigade during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) on 1 August 1920.

General Sir Charles Monro, the Commander-in-Chief, India, wrote of him:

He then held the temporary rank of lieutenant-general while retaining command of the Waziristan Force until May 1920 and was appointed general officer commanding (GOC) Poona District in June 1920. He was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-general in June 1921, but was placed on the unemployed list in December 1922, returning to Britain and settling in Folkestone. He served as colonel of the 4/14th Punjab Regiment during his retirement. where they spent the winter and were members of the exclusive Cercle Nautique club.

Climo was also president of the Cannes branch of the Royal British Legion in 1931.

During his army days, Climo had been one of the best polo players in the Indian Army. He was also a keen golfer and fisherman and a close friend of General Sir Andrew Skeen since his early days in India.

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