Lieutenant-Colonel C.F.C. Coleman
4th Battalion, Welch Regiment
Brigadier Coleman has command his brigade throughout the campaign in North West Europe with an unbroken series of successes. The extraordinary success of his Brigade is very largely due to his ability, energy, personality and disregard of his own personal safety … He can certainly be said to have played a great part in the liberation of Holland
(Order of the Bronze Lion or Medal of the Bronze Cross, 15 Oct 1945)
Born on 16 April 1903 in Stonehouse, Devon, Cyril Frederick Charles Coleman was commissioned into the Welch Regiment after completing RMC, Sandhurst in 1923. With prewar service in China, Malaya and India, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Battalion, Welch Regiment in September 1941. Just as the 53rd Welsh Division deployed to France, on 21 June 1944, Coleman was promoted to brigadier of the 160th Infantry Brigade. His predecessor, General Lashmer Whistler had been elevated to command 3rd Infantry Division.
