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| Page revised: 15 January, 2008 |
Captain Coulson Norman MITCHELL VC |
| Born: | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - 11 December 1889 | 
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| Died: | Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada - 17 November 1978 | ||
| Burial details: | Field of Honour, Pointe Claire, Montreal, Quebec. | ||
| Corps service: | Enlisted as a sapper in November 1914. He first served with a signals, then a railway construction unit. In April 1916 he was commissioned and joined the 1 Tunnelling Company. After the war he returned to Canada to resume his civilian career. He again served in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War (1939-45), serving first in England (1940-43), then Canada. | ||
| VC awarded: | Won VC on the Canal de I'Escaut, north-east of Cambrai, on 8-9 October 1918 (First World War 1914-18). | ||
| VC unit: | 1 Tunnelling Company, 4th Canadian Engineers. | ||
| VC presented: | VC presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 3 April 1919. | ||
| VC citation: | For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on
the night of 8-9 October 1918, at the Canal de l'Escaut, north-east
of Cambrai. He led a small party ahead of the first wave of infantry
in order to examine the various bridges on the line of approach, and,
if possible, to prevent their demolition. On reaching the canal he
found the bridge already blown up. Under a heavy barrage he crossed
to the next bridge, where he cut a number of 'lead' wires. Then, in
total darkness, and unaware of the position or strength of the enemy
at the bridgehead, he dashed across the main bridge over the canal.
This bridge was found to be heavily charged for demolition, and whilst
Captain Mitchell, assisted by his NCO [Sergeant Jackson], was cutting the wires, the
enemy attempted to rush the bridge, in order to blow the charges,
whereupon he at once dashed to the assistance of the sentry, who had
been wounded, killed three of the enemy, captured 12, and maintained
the bridgehead until reinforced. Then, under heavy fire, he continued
his task of cutting wires and removing charges, which he knew well
might at any moment have been fired by the enemy. It was entirely
due to his valour and decisive action that this important bridge across
the canal was saved from destruction (London Gazette: 31 January 1919) |
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| VC location: | Military Engineers Museum, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada | ||
| Source:
Additional material: SC Fenwick, FoREM Links to further reading:
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Royal Engineers Museum main site
