Background
He was born in England and served with the Royal West Kent Regiment before the First World War.
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Frederick Coppins
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Career
He was 28 years old, and a corporal in the 8th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. On 9 August 1918 at Hatchet Woods, near Amiens, France, Corporal Coppins" platoon came unexpectedly under fire of numerous machine-guns. lieutenant 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. After the war, 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. Coppins played a minor role in the 1930 film All Quiet on the Western Front, as a German machine gunner.
A record exists for his enlistment in World World War II at Angel"s Camp Calaveras Company
California aged 50 but it is unknown what role he played. He later moved to California where he died. Coppins" medals are located in a collection at the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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Born
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Died
March 20, 1963 (aged 73) -
Nationality
Canadian
Awards
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Victoria Cross Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.