Lieutenant-Colonel Bert Coffin
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada

His calm manner and complete disregard for personal safety set a splendid example for all ranks of his battalion. There can be no doubt that this officer has been a major factor in the consistent success of both regiments with which he served. His leadership and bravery under fire has been an inspiration to all ranks under his command.

(D.S.O. citation, 1948)

Born on 16 March 1910 in Stirling, Alberta, Albert Frank Coffin was a Medicine Hat pharmacist. He volunteered with the South Alberta Regiment in 1940, which converted armour in February 1942 and was then re-designated the 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment a year later. He served as second-in-command throughout the Normandy campaign under Lieutenant-Colonel G.D. Wotherspoon and led the regiment in several operations in Northwest Europe.

Following the death of Lieutenant-Colonel F.E. Wigle of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada on 14 April 1945, Coffin was promoted to take over the battalion. The unit’s war diary stated, “The Argylls and SARs had worked together more frequently Fan any other two units in the Division; as for example at the Falaise gap where Major Dave Currie of the SARs won the VC, and it was considered fitting that a South Albertan should lead our unit.”

“I thought the world of Fred Wigle,” he said of his predecessor, “but he was an inexperienced staff officer thrown into a tough situation.” Referring to the battalion’s first combat commanding officer, Coffin added, “He couldn’t compare with Dave Stewart—but then no one could.” His leadership during the final weeks of fighting before Germany’s defeat would earn Coffin the Distinguished Service Order:

Although inexperienced as an infantry officer, Lieutenant Colonel Coffin controlled the difficult series of operations prior to cessation of hostilities with outstanding skill and bravery. Even during the most intense fighting this officer was constantly well forward with leading companies.

After VE-Day, part of the Argylls formed the composite “Berlin Battalion,” also commanded by Coffin who led the first Canadian troops into the German capital. “Berlin is nearly all smashed flat now,” Coffin wrote to his daughter. “Most people live in their basements and they don’t have much to eat. I have got some German medals, too, that I will send you when I can get anything to wrap them up in.” He wrote the letter on Hitler’s stationary. Coffin led the A&S Highlanders home in January 1946.

He died in Barrie, Ontario on 10 October 2007.