Coulson Norman Mitchell
Captain, 1st Tunnelling Company. 4th Canadian Engineers. Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 876 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 1st Tunnelling Company. 4th Canadian Engineers. Canadian Expeditionary Force all 4th Canadian Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 8–9 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 31st January, 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 11th December 1889 at Winnipeg, Canada
- Died
- 17th November 1978 at Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On the night of 8th/9th October 1918, Captain Mitchell led a party to examine bridges over the Canal de L'Escaut, north-east of Canbrai, France, ahead of the advancing infantry. The main bridge had been heavily charged. The object was to stop the bridges from being demolished on the line of approach. When he reached the canal he found the bridge already blown . Captain Mitchell managed to cut several of the lead wires on one of the following bridges, which was by then, in total darkness. He then dashed across the main bridge, not knowing the strength or position of the enemy. Whilst he and his NCO were cutting the wires, the enemy decided to attack the bridge. He went to the assistance of one of the sentries, who had been wounded. He captured 12 of the enemy after killing three others. He managed to maintain the bridgehead until reinforcements arrived . Still under heavy fire, he continued with his task of neutralising the charges, knowing full well that the bridges could have been fired at any moment
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MITCHELL, Coulson Norman. (reg No. 876).
Captain. 1st Tunnelling Company. 4th Canadian Engineers. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 31st January, 1919.
Born on 11th December 1889 at Winnipeg, Canada.
Died on 17th November 1978 at Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On the night of 8th/9th October 1918, Captain Mitchell led a party to examine bridges over the Canal de L'Escaut, north-east of Canbrai, France, ahead of the advancing infantry. The main bridge had been heavily charged. The object was to stop the bridges from being demolished on the line of approach. When he reached the canal he found the bridge already blown . Captain Mitchell managed to cut several of the lead wires on one of the following bridges, which was by then, in total darkness. He then dashed across the main bridge, not knowing the strength or position of the enemy. Whilst he and his NCO were cutting the wires, the enemy decided to attack the bridge. He went to the assistance of one of the sentries, who had been wounded. He captured 12 of the enemy after killing three others. He managed to maintain the bridgehead until reinforcements arrived . Still under heavy fire, he continued with his task of neutralising the charges, knowing full well that the bridges could have been fired at any moment.
Additional information:. Captain Mitchell also held the Military Cross
Additional information
Captain Mitchell also held the Military Cross
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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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