Name: Clifford Dennis Dugas Rank: Lance Corporal Service Number: F/65178 Service: West Nova Scotia Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps Date of Birth: July 18, 1923 Place of Birth: Doucetteville, Digby Co., Nova Scotia Date of Enlistment: March 3, 1942 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia Address at Enlistment: Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia Age at Enlistment: 18 Height: 5 feet, 5 inches Complexion: Medium Eye Colour: Hazel Hair Colour: Brown Occupation: Apprentice Telephone, Sales Clerk Marital Status: Single (at enlistment) Religion: Roman Catholic Next of Kin: Martin Dugas (Father), Doucetteville, NS Date of Death: May 20, 1944 Age: 20 Cemetery: Cassino War Cemetery, Italy Grave IV. E. 18. Commemorated on Page 296 of Canada's Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on June 24 Clifford Dennis Dugas was the son of Martin Dugas (b. 1881) and Anne Marie ‘Annie’ (Thibault) Dugas (1886- 1964) of Doucetteville in Digby County, Nova Scotia, and the brother of Lucy Mary Dugas (b. 1911), Louise Margaret Dugas (b. 1912), Catherine Odile Dugas (b. 1913), James Eugene Dugas (1915-2000), George Edward (Harley) Dugas (b. 1916), Blanche Marion Dugas (b. 1918), Nelson Joseph Dugas (b. 1923), and Emma Reta Dugas (b. 1926). After enlisting, Clifford underwent basic training at the Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CIBTC No. 60, also known as Camp 60) from March 13 to May 13, 1942. During this period, he was hospitalized with mumps from April 10 – 29, 1942. Following basic training, he was posted to the No. 14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC No. 14), at Camp Aldershot in Kings County, Nova Scotia, for advanced training from May 14 to July 14, 1942. The next day, July 15th, he was transferred to the Canadian Signal Training Centre (CSTC) in Kingston, Ontario. On August 31, 1942, he qualified in Infantry Signals. He was struck off strength from CSTC Kingston on September 21st in preparation for overseas deployment. Clifford arrived in the United Kingdom on October 7, 1942, and was taken on strength by the 1st Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit. He qualified in Regiment Signals (Infantry) on January 2, 1943, and was assigned to the West Nova Scotia Regiment (WNSR) on January 21st. On June 15, 1943, he departed England for the Mediterranean ahead of the Sicily landings (Operation Husky). Later that year, from October 3-8, 1943, he was hospitalized in Italy for five days with malaria. He was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal December 20, 1943, reverted to Private on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1943, promoted once again to Lance Corporal on January 3, 1944, and confirmed at the rank of Lance Corporal on April 4, 1944. In May 1944, the West Nova Scotia Regiment was on the front lines in Italy, actively participating in the push through the Gustav Line as part of the broader effort to drive the German Army northward and ultimately liberate Rome, which fell on June 4, 1944. The WNSR was involved in preparations for Operation Diadem, the Allied offensive aimed at breaking through the German Gustav Line and liberating Rome. The regiment was part of II Canadian Corps, under the British Eighth Army. The offensive began in mid-May 1944, with the WNSR participating in the advance through the Liri Valley, a strategically critical route toward Rome. The division faced difficult terrain, well-entrenched German defenses, and harsh fighting conditions. Lance Corporal Clifford Dennis Dugas was killed in action in Italy on May 20, 1944.

Sources: Library and Archives Canada Canadian Virtual War Memorial findagrave