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Malcolm John Clifford
Malcolm John Clifford was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 11 April 1924. He enlisted as a boy soldier in early 1938 at the age of 14 (gave his age as 16) in the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (Cavalry) at Ottawa. On on 13 September 1938 transferred to the 1st Corps Troop Supply Column, RCASC at Ottawa.
In December 1943 voluntarily transferred to 85th Bridge Company, RCASC at Coolhurst England, as a motorcycle despatch rider. Embarked for the invasion front, France on 7 July 1944 from Gosport, England. Remained in the war zone, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany throughout the entire campaign until reaching the Elbe River in Central Germany on 8 May 1945.
In August 1945 volunteered for the Division which was to be sent to the Pacific for the war against Japan. Upon the Japanese unconditional surrender to the Allies on 2 September 1945, volunteered for the 2/3 Division of the Canadian Army Occupation Force with headquarters in Oldenburg, Germany. Re-mustered to the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) on 1 June 1947 and in September 1950 was posted as a Sergeant to 1 Ord Coy, RCOC, CIB at Hannover, Germany. In December 1952 was posted to 1 Ord Coy, RCOC, 4 CIB at Soest, Germany. In December 1955 was posted to Ord Railhead, RCOC, Camp Patawawa, Ontario and to Fort Churchill, Manitoba in September 1961. In 1962 posted to 25 COD, RCOC at Montreal, Quebec and was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In June 1966 temporarily posted to Hemer Detachment, RCOC, 4 CIB at Hemer, Germany. Returned to 26 COD, RCOC in September was provisionally promoted to Sergeant Major Class II for a slated posting to the Middle East. Refused promotion and commenced release proceedings in September 1966.
While on rehabilitation leave at Soest, Germany, he was offered and accepted a civilian work position as Supervisor PP & S Section, 1 Ord Coy, RCOC at Fort Chambley, Soest, German effective 16 May 1967.
Due to the reconfiguration of the Canadian Forces Europe in 1970 was offered and accepted a transfer to a civilian work position at the Base Supply Section, Lahr, Germany effective 1 August 1970. Accepted a promotional transfer to the Physical Education and Recreational Training Section, Lahr to institute a new accounting and customer control system for all of CFB Lahr effective 1 August 1973. He continued to work in this position until he was forced to retire due to age on 12th October 1990 with a combined service of over 51 years.
After his retirement Malcolm John Clifford, a true Canadian, took up residency as quote "a registered Alien" unquote in the Federal Republic of Germany at Lahr where he lived with his wife Else (who died in the spring of 1997) until his death following a short sickness on the 16 September 1997 at the age of 73.
Mel and his wife Else are buried in Conneforde which is near Oldenburg in nothern Germany.