The Canadian Military Engineers are pleased to advise that the Government of France has presented the National Order of the Legion of Honour to Sapper Ralph Hebb, a WW II Royal Canadian Engineer veteran and a participant in the Battle of the Liberation of France.
Sapper Hebb served with the 10th Field Park Company during the Second World War. He landed in Normandy on D plus 5 and saw action in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. His company supported the 23rd Field Company during Op BERLIN in late September 1944. As a result of their leading role in the rescue of more than 2,500 British and Polish paratroopers trapped behind German lines after the failed Operation Market Garden, the 23th Field Company were the "Storm Boat Kings”.
When Ralph passed away on April 23, 2016, it was claimed he was the oldest living Second World War Sapper. He proudly wore his uniform until the very end. Sapper Hebb's Last Post entry tells his complete story.