Commemorative paving stone in honour of the only Victoria Cross recipient born in Ashford
Date: Thursday 9 August 2018
Time: 11am - 11.45am: Commemorative Ceremony and Unveiling of Commemorative Paving Stone
Venue: Sundial Garden, Charing, Kent, TN27 0LR
A commemorative paving stone to honour the only Victoria Cross recipient to be born in the Ashford Borough will be unveiled in August.
On Thursday 9 August, a commemorative paving stone will be officially unveiled in the village of Charing to mark the 100th anniversary of Corporal Frederick George Coppins' Victoria Cross award.
In 2014, the Department for Communities and Local Government announced the production of Victoria Cross Commemorative Paving Stones, which are subsequently laid on the 100th anniversary of the action for which each Victoria Cross was awarded in the First World War.
Stones are only laid in the area where each VC recipient was born - regardless of where eventually reside - and while Corporal Coppins lived in California he was Charing born and bred, leaving the village when he joined the army aged 18 in 1907.
After first joining the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment with the British Army, Frederick emigrated to Canada in 1912 where he was enlisted with the Canadian Army at the outbreak of the First World War.
Frederick was serving with the 8th Canadian Battalion, 90th Winnipeg Rifles, when he was awarded his Victoria Cross, which was given in recognition of his actions on 9 August 1918 in Amiens, France, when he single-handedly took out a machine gun position that was annihilating his platoon, saving the lives of many men.
Not only was Frederick a war hero, but interestingly he also later moved to California and found ‘fame' as an extra in two Hollywood movies - ‘All Quiet on the Western Front', and ‘A Man from Wyoming' - featuring in the latter alongside renowned Hollywood actor Gary Cooper, who he spoke to about his Victoria Cross. Ironically, Frederick's role in both films was as a German machine gunner.
Frederick stayed in America until the end of his life in 1963, where he died in a Veterans' Affairs hospital in California aged 73.
The ceremony, which will take place in Charing's Sundial Garden, will be attended by several members of the Coppins' family. The paving stone will be unveiled by Brigadier-General Lowell Thomas OMM CD, Defence Advisor at the High Commission of Canada, accompanied by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Kent and Mr Arthur Coppins, nephew to Corporal Coppins.
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and ward member for Charing, said: "The installation of the commemorative stone in honour of Corporal Coppins is something which gives us great pride as a community. As the only Victoria Cross recipient to be born in the borough it is an enormous privilege to receive this stone in his honour.
"Corporal Coppins was a remarkable man by all accounts, showing enormous bravery in the face of adversity. He cements the prestige we feel for all those who so selflessly fought and gave their lives for others in this, the hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War."
The Chairman of Charing Parish Council, Cllr Jill Leyland, said: "August 9th will be a great day for Charing when we honour a very brave son of the village. The Sundial garden is a delightful spot for the stone and we hope as many people as possible will join us on the day."
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Notes for editors
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that British and Commonwealth service personnel can achieve. It is awarded for acts of extreme bravery, daring acts of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty.
The Victoria Cross has the shape of the Maltese cross and features Queen Victoria's arms above a motto scroll bearing an inscription. Frederick's commemorative paving stone will be embedded within a Victoria Cross shape made of granite.
During the First World War, 628 were awarded - a quarter posthumously.
There will be limited, covered seating for invited guests. A big screen will be installed in a marquee adjacent to Clewards Meadow where members of the public will be able to watch the service and unveiling. Please be aware that this is an outdoor event - suitable footwear and clothing is advised and event organisers may modify plans if the weather is extremely wet and/or windy.
There will be a temporary road closure and suspension of parking in Market Place adjacent to the Sundial Garden on the day. To compensate, residents are being offered free parking in the adjacent field, accessed off of Pett Lane. Directional signage will be in place on the day to guide visitors from the parking area to the Sundial Garden.
The Sundial Garden is easily accessible to those travelling to Charing via train on the day. Directions can be given if needed.
For further information contact:
Darren Laws
Public relations
01634 671167/07958 304375
On behalf of Ashford Borough Council