Clifford Coffin

Walking through heavy fire to rally his brigade at Westhoek.

Clifford Coffin was born at Blackheath, London, on February 10, 1870. Educated at Haileybury and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1888. His early service included submarine mining in Jamaica and engineer duties in Ireland. During the Second Boer War he served with divisional engineers and took part in the relief of Kimberley and subsequent operations. He later held staff and field-company appointments in Britain and West Africa.

During the First World War, Coffin served as Commander Royal Engineers of the 21st Division before taking infantry brigade command. On July 31, 1917, his 25th Infantry Brigade was held up near Westhoek by machine-gun and rifle fire. As the troops established a line of shell-hole posts, Coffin went forward in full view of the enemy. He walked between the posts under intense fire, advised the men and encouraged them by his calm presence. His example helped them hold the position when the attack had stalled. He received the Victoria Cross, presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on January 2, 1918.

Coffin also received the Distinguished Service Order and a bar, the latter for skilful brigade leadership during active operations, and became a Companion of the Order of the Bath. After post-war commands he retired in 1924 with the honorary rank of major-general. He continued working for ex-service personnel and served as a Colonel Commandant of the Royal Engineers. He died at Torquay on February 4, 1959, and was buried at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Coleman’s Hatch, East Sussex. His medals were presented to the Royal Engineers Museum.

**Victoria Cross citation**

“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When his command was 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 generally, and cheering the 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 cheerfulness exercised the greatest influence over all with whom he came in 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.”