 Clennell Haggerston Dickins was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and moved with his family to Edmonton, Alberta in 1909, when he was ten years old.The nickname, "Punch" came at an early age, reputed to be either when his brother, Francis, first called him Punch, according to Punch's son, John.Other reports say his maternal Aunt Nell dubbed him a fat little punch because his clothes wouldn't stay over his tummy.