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.

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