Cliff Chadderton: Up Close and Personal

Cliff Chadderton had the privilege of granting an interview with Veterans Affairs Canada as part of its Heroes Remember Project.  It proved to be a fitting follow-up to his successful memoir in print, Excuse Us! Herr Schicklgruber, which told the story of some 40 soldiers from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles with whom he served in World War II.

“The interview raised experiences I had not brought myself to think about in years,” says Cliff Chadderton.  In Up Close and Personal, Chadderton delves deeper into his personal story – his childhood, his pre-war pursuits, and his war years.  He tells of life and death events during the Normandy invasion, his “worst day” at a place called Soulangy and the defining moment during the Battle for the Scheldt that cost him his leg.

A Companion in the Order of Canada, Cliff Chadderton has never let the loss of his leg hinder him. In fact, it has made him a beacon of hope to many, and has given him the opportunity to work for the needs and benefits of Canadian amputees and veterans.  He is CEO of The War Amps and Chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada.

“I wouldn’t change a thing. I think that you play with the cards you have and somewhere in that deck was a work ethic that I’m happy about and wonderful opportunities to do something useful”, says Chadderton.