Coulson Norman Mitchell

He ran across a bridge wired to explode, in total darkness, with German soldiers somewhere on the far side.

This was Captain Coulson Norman “Mike” Mitchell of Winnipeg — an engineer, not a career warrior.

In October 1918, during the final Allied advance toward Cambrai, Mitchell was sent ahead to save bridges the retreating Germans had rigged for demolition.

Two bridges were already dealt with. Then came the main crossing into Escaudœuvres.

Mitchell climbed under the bridge, found the demolition wires, and began cutting them.

Then the Germans counterattacked.

So he climbed back up, helped fight them off, and then calmly went back under the bridge to finish the job.

The bridge survived.

So did the Canadian advance.

For that, Mitchell received the Victoria Cross — the only one ever awarded to a Royal Canadian Engineer.

He once straightened a leaning grain elevator.

Then he saved a bridge that mattered to an army.

The most consequential work is rarely loud.

It’s precise.