Clifford Hebner was born in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba on May 11, 1913, the son of Frank (born in Huntsville, Ontario) and Minnie May (nee Burrows, born Neepawa, Manitoba) Hebner. He would have four brothers–Arnold Stewart (born 1904), Mervin Chester (born 1915), Frank (born 1925) and Ivan (born 1906)–and five sisters including Mabel (born 1907), Violet (born 1908) and Winnifred (born 1918). When Clifford was 23 years old, he would lose his father, Frank, who died in 1936. Clifford’s brother, Mervin Chester, also born in Manitoba, would also join the army, serving as a Gunner with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 3rd Anti-tank Regiment.

On March 16, 1940, Clifford would marry Vera Hebner (nee Mantle), of London, England. Clifford and Vera Hebner would reside at R.R. #2 Sarnia, Ontario. He recorded his occupation as a stoker. Clifford enlisted in the Canadian Army, becoming a member of the Royal Canadian Engineers, 1 Field Coy with the rank of Sergeant. Clifford Hebner would take part in the Dieppe raid of August 1942, where close to 5,000 Canadian soldiers took part and over 900 would lose their lives.

Brother Mervin Chester Hebner, a gunner with the Royal Canadian Artillery, who fought at Normandy on D-Day, would lose his life on July 11, 1944, at age 29 in Caen, France, during the first few days of the Battle of Normandy. Mervin is buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Cemetery, Normandy, France. Only three months later, on October 5, 1944, Clifford Hebner would lose his life in Belgium, in the early stages of the Battle of the Scheldt. For the widowed Minnnie May, this was her second son lost in war. Clifford Hebner would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (Belgium). Thirty-two year old Clifford Hebner is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.B.15. On Clifford Hebner’s headstone are inscribed the words, Cliff and I lived a glorious life together in five short months. Vera. On December 23, 1944, Clifford Hebner was awarded posthumously the Military Medal. The award states, The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2B, 2C, 2D