Career
He was 25 years old, and a private in the 34th Regiment (later The Border Regiment), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. On 29 March 1855 at Sebastopol, the Crimea, Private Coffey threw a live shell, which had fallen into a trench, over the parapet and thus saved many lives. Coffey was posted to Indian fighting in the Indian Mutiny. lieutenant was reported that he died by suicide (shot himself) in the Army drill shed Sheffield, 13 July 1875.
However his death certificate shows he died of dysentery at Stonegravels, Chesterfield.
He was buried in Spital cemetery, Chesterfield. Originally he was buried in an unmarked, common plot but in 1970 a stone, provided by the Border Regiment, was put on his grave following a service.