Clifford Coffin

Who was Clifford Coffin?

Major General Clifford Coffin VC, CB, DSO & Bar was educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College and was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 47 years old, and a temporary brigadier general in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army, Commander 25th Infantry Brigade during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 31 July 1917 in Westhoek, Belgium, when his command was held up in attack owing to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, Brigadier-General Coffin went forward and made an inspection of his front posts. Although 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 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.

He later achieved the rank of major general and was Colonel Commandant Royal Engineers.