BIOGRAPHY
		PRIVATE CLIFFORD HOLLIDAY

World War I veteran Pvt. Clifford Holliday was awarded The National Order of The Legion of
Honor by the Government of France in a ceremony in Los Angeles on August 11, 1999. The
award is the highest honor France bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals. It was presented
in gratitude for valor by Allied forces in France during World War I and in recognition of the
80th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

Clifford Holliday, 102, of Gardena CA served during World War I with the 43rd Battalion of
the Camron Highlanders as part of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada. He enlisted at age 16
as a bugle boy in November 1914, but quickly found himself on the front lines in France by
age 17. He spent over 2 1/2 years in the trenches and was wounded both in the face and in the
legs by enemy fire. His division used up more than 8000 reinforcements due to the high
casualties. Four groups of troops rotated into the front lines. After the front line duty period
was up soldiers moved into a rear area for rest and then moved up again in shifts. Pvt. Holliday's
campaigns included the Battles of Ypres, Belgium and Mans, France. His brother in law was hit by
mustard gas in the war and suffered the after effects for 15 years before passing away. While
serving in England before returning from overseas, he met and married his wife Annie.

Clifford was born in Plumas, Manitoba, Canada in 1898. His family included 16 siblings counting
half brothers and sisters. His father was widowed more than once after losing several wives
in childbirth. Clifford lived and worked on a farm until his enlistment in 1914. After returning
home from the war he apprenticed as an electrician in Manitoba. In 1922 he emigrated to the
United States and became a citizen five years later. He pursued a career as an electrician
in California and eventually became an electrical contracting superintendent with ALCOA. 
He recalls doing electrical work for one of the major studios in Hollywood and running across
such famous movie stars as Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford. After retiring in 1970 he
served on a police precinct Advisory Committee and became very active in senior citizen causes.
During 1980-84 he served a term as president of the Congress of California Seniors. In 1989
Clifford was selected as a co-recipient of the California State Advocate of the Year Award.
During late summer, 1998 he was thanked and recognized in person by President Clinton while at
a National Council of Senior Citizens convention in Washington DC. He continues to go to
downtown Los Angeles several days a week to work as a volunteer for the Congress of California
Seniors. His secret to a long life is to be a good volunteer and enjoy the rewards of helping
people help themselves. Clifford has resided in Gardena, CA since 1942. His extended family
includes, two grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.