Isaac Coffin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Isaac Campbell Coffin
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | Born around 24 August 1801 |
| Died | 1 October 1872 9 St John's Park South, Blackheath, London |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Service/ |
East India Company |
| Years of service | 1818–1872 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India |
| Relations | Clifford Coffin (son) |
Major-General Sir Isaac Campbell Coffin KCSI was a British army officer. He served in the East India Company's army for many years. This company was a powerful British trading group that also ruled parts of India.
Sir Isaac Coffin fought in two important conflicts: the First Anglo-Burmese War and the Indian Mutiny. He started his career as a young officer and worked his way up. Eventually, he became a Major-General, which is a very high rank in the army.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Isaac Coffin was born around 1801. His father was Admiral Francis Holmes Coffin. An admiral is a high-ranking officer in the navy. Isaac was baptized, which means he had a special church ceremony, on August 24, 1801, in Dover, England.
He went to school, even spending some time studying in France. After finishing his education, he joined the East India Company's army. This happened on June 3, 1818. He then sailed all the way to India, arriving on January 12, 1819.
In 1821, Isaac Coffin became a lieutenant. This is a junior officer rank. He was part of the 21st Madras Pioneers. Later, in 1824, he became an adjutant for the 12th Madras Native Infantry. An adjutant helps the commanding officer with daily tasks and paperwork.
His unit took part in the First Anglo-Burmese War. This was a conflict between the British and the Burmese kingdom. Coffin was involved in attacks on the city of Rangoon in December 1824.
Rising Through the Ranks
After the war, Isaac Coffin continued to gain new responsibilities. From 1826, he worked as a quartermaster, interpreter, and paymaster for his infantry unit. A quartermaster manages supplies, an interpreter helps with languages, and a paymaster handles money.
He was promoted to captain on July 26, 1828. This was an important step up in his career.
More promotions followed over the years. In 1829, he became a paymaster for a special force in Nagpur. Then, in 1834, he was a paymaster in Mysore. He became a major on July 24, 1840.
On September 15, 1845, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Just a few weeks later, he was given command of the 3rd (Palamcottah) regiment of the Madras native light infantry.
Commanding Forces and Later Career
Isaac Coffin became a colonel on June 20, 1854. He then took command of the Hyderabad subsidiary force in 1855. He led these troops as a brigadier during the Indian Mutiny. This was a major rebellion against British rule in India.
After the mutiny was put down, Coffin was promoted to major-general on May 29, 1857. From 1859 to 1864, he commanded a division of the Madras army. His final promotion was to lieutenant-general on July 18, 1869.
Personal Life and Final Years
In 1866, Sir Isaac Coffin received a special honor. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India. This is a high award given for service to the British Empire in India.
He married Marianne Harrington on February 12, 1824. Sadly, she passed away in 1864. He married again on October 23, 1866, to Catherine Eliza Shepherd.
General Isaac Coffin died suddenly on October 1, 1872. He was at his home in Blackheath, London. He left behind his wife and several children. One of his sons was Clifford Coffin, who also became a famous military officer.
