Frederick Coppins

Frederick George Coppins VC (25 October 1889 – 20 March 1963[1]) was a Canadian 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 born in England and served with the Royal West Kent Regiment before the First World War. He then emigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg.

Frederick George Coppins
Born25 October 1889
Kent, England
Died20 March 1963
Livermore, California, United States of America
Buried
Chapel of the Chimes columbarium, Oakland, California
Allegiance United Kingdom
 Canada
Service/branchBritish Army
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service1914 - 1919
RankCorporal
UnitQueen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion, CEF
Battles/warsFirst World War
Awards Victoria Cross

Details

He was 28 years old, and a corporal in the 8th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force[2] during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 August 1918 at Hatchet Woods, near Amiens, France, Corporal Coppins' platoon came unexpectedly under fire of numerous machine-guns. It was not possible to advance or retire and there was no cover. Corporal Coppins, calling on four men to follow him, leapt forward in the face of intense machine-gun fire and rushed straight for the guns. The four men with him were killed and he was wounded, but going on alone, he killed the operator of the first gun and three of the crew and took four prisoners. Despite his wound, he then continued with his platoon to the final objective.[3]

Later life

After the war, he returned to Winnipeg. He enlisted as a special constable during the Winnipeg General Strike. Within hours of his appointment, he charged his horse into a gathering of strikers and was dragged off his horse and severely pummelled.[4]

Coppins played a minor role in the 1930 film All Quiet on the Western Front, as a German machine gunner.[5]

A record exists for his enlistment in World War II at Angel's Camp Calaveras Co. California aged 50 but it is unknown what role he played. He later moved to California where he died. He is interred at the Chapel of the Chimes columbarium in Oakland, California.[6] Coppins' medals are located in a collection at the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

References
  1. "Canadian Great War Project". Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  2. "Frederick George Coppins - Directorate of History and Heritage". Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  3. "No. 30922". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 September 1918. p. 11430.
  4. Edmonton Bulletin, June 11, 1919
  5. Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2010 September 26
  6. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7034699&pt=Frederick%20Coppins Find-A-Grave Profile of Frederick George Coppins
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