John Thomas Clements was born in 1893 in Dimboola, Victoria. The family moved to Jarrahdale, Western Australia before his 5th birthday. Playing for Training College he was a busy goal-scoring forward. In his last game before enlisting in October 1915 he scored the winning goal to secure the Glick Cup for the College against Rangers Glebe.
Much of his military service was in the sick bay, including a 5-month stretch before discharge. He returned and began teaching in Coolgardie and then Kalgoorlie.
He died on 10 June 1938 in Cottesloe, Western Australia, at the age of 45.