Gilbert Frank Coffin

Gilbert Coffin was a 1st Air Mechanic with the Royal Air Force, and served during World War 1.

He was the fourth son of William Coffin of Chislehurst. His brother (the 3rd son) was killed in France on 4th October, 1917.  His two other brothers were also serving during the war.

Prior to the battle, he served in the City Police Force.

He enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915, and was soon on active service around the Belgian coast. He spent nearly 2 years with the Fleet in the North Sea.

Gilbert succumbed to pneumonia, following influenza, and died on 4th November 1918, aboard the H.M. hospital ship China, off the coast of Scotland.  

His body was brought home on the 6th December 1918 and the funeral took place on the 9th at the Annunciation, Chislehurst.