Fred Parkinson Holliday

Fred Parkinson Holliday DSO, MC, AFC (20 February 1888 – 5 March 1980) was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of the First World War. He shot down 17 German aircraft between his entry into the war and its end, making him the 11th highest-scoring Australian-born pilot of the war. He served with the RFC and RAF throughout, in the No. 48 Squadron. He was awarded the Military Cross on 26 July 1917 for a particularly successful encounter with five German aircraft, and was later given the Distinguished Service Order. He survived the war and returned to Canada, where he died at the age of 72.

A Sapper in the Canadian Engineers he was appointed a temporary Second Lieutenant in December 1915.

Awards and honours

 * 26 July 1917 - Temp. Lt. Fred Parkinson Holliday, Gen. List and RFC is awarded the Military Cross ''For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In company with another pilot he attacked five hostile aircraft, setting one on fire, driving down another out of control, and dispersing the remainder. He has previously done fine work, bringing down eight hostile machines in all.


 * 25 August 1917 - T./Lt. Fred Parkinson Holliday, Gen. List and RFC is awarded the Distinguished Service Order - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his initiative and skilful manoeuvring he led six hostile machines to an encounter with our own formation, during which five out of the six hostile machines were destroyed and driven down. He had been equally successful the day before in misleading hostile aircraft, and his originality and fearless example were of the greatest value to his squadron.


 * 30 May 1919 - Capt. (A./Maj.) Fred Parkinson Holliday, DSO, MC (Can. Eng) is awarded the Air Force Cross.