"Canada doesn't put much emphasis on teaching students their own history in the schools."

Not true: the Ontario history curriculum is almost entirely Canadian. As for students' awareness of someone like Clouston, unless a person is mentioned in a textbook or a teacher or student has a personal awareness, it's almost impossible for students to learn about that individual.

I had never heard of Clouston until I had the good fortune to watch CBC's excellent documentary that was put together for the 50th anniversary. That was in May, 1990. I was stunned because I considered myself to be fairly well-aware regarding Canada's efforts during the Second World War, yet I'd never heard of this fellow from Montreal who did so much.

As the documentary's closing statement regarding Clouston pointed out, ""It was said that he should have had the Victoria Cross for his courage…. It is rare that a single individual can play such a large role in history."

Indeed.