Clifford Coffin
Clifford Coffin | |
---|---|
Major General | |
Unit | Royal Engineers |
Commands held | 25th Infantry Brigade |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
|
Relations | Isaac Coffin (father) |
Biography
Born in
He was 47 years old, and a temporary brigadier general commanding the 25th Infantry Brigade during the First World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty".[1][2]
On 31 July 1917 in Westhoek, Belgium, Coffin's brigade had been shattered attempting to cross the marshy ground around the Hanebeek stream.[3] According to his citation in the London Gazette: "When his command had been held up in attack owing to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from front and right flank, and was establishing itself in a forward shell-hole line, he went forward and made an inspection of his front posts. Though under the heaviest fire from both machine-guns and rifles, and in full view of the enemy, he showed an utter disregard of personal danger, walking quietly from shell-hole to shell-hole, giving advice and cheering his men by his presence. His very gallant conduct had the greatest effect on all ranks, and it was largely owing to his personal courage and example that the shell-hole line was held in spite of the very heaviest fire. Throughout the day his calm courage and example exercised the greatest influence over all with whom he came into contact, and it is generally agreed that Brigadier-General Coffin's splendid example saved the situation, and had it not been for his action the line would certainly have been driven back".[4][5]
Coffin served as
He died in February 1959 and is buried at Holy Trinity Churchyard,
References
- ^ "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9531.
- ^ "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9532.
- ^ Lee, Roger, The Battle of the Menin Road, Australian Army Campaign Series - 20, Canberra, 2018
- ^ "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9531.
- ^ "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9532.
- ^ "Clifford Colin". VC Online. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Clifford Coffin VC". The Victoria Cross Trust. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
Bibliography
- The Sapper VCs(Gerald Napier, 1998)
- Snelling, Stephen (2012) [1998]. Passchendaele 1917. ISBN 978-0752476667.
External links
- Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
- Location of grave and VC medal (East Sussex)
- Clifford Coffin at Find a Grave