Sapper William Coffin (1951203) served in the Royal Engineers during the Second World War. Born on 20th September 1906, he was the son of the late Philip Coffin and Agnes "Hannie" Manson Coffin (née Kelly) of 15 Crystal Street, Belfast. The family later lived at Ravenhill Avenue, Belfast and then 38 Railwayview Street, Bangor, Co. Down.
Known to family and friends as Willie, Coffin worked as a ship painter. On 28th November 1927, he married Winifred May Wright of Drumgavlin, Dromara, Co. Down in Magherahamlet Parish Church, Ballynahinch, Co. Down. After their marriage, the couple moved to Hull, Yorkshire, England.
William died as a result of a motorcycle accident in Southampton, Hampshire, England on 8th September 1945 aged 38 years old. His death took place in a Military Hospital. A funeral with full military honours took place from his mother’s house in Bangor, Co. Down. Pastor David Burrows of Bangor Baptist Church, Bangor, Co. Down conducted the service, which was attended by many family members.
William Coffin’s grave is in Section 5W, Grave 95 of Bangor Cemetery, Bangor, Co. Down. His name is on the Bangor War Memorial, Bangor, Co. Down, and on the Memorial at First Bangor Presbyterian Church, Bangor, Co. Down. His headstone bears the inscription:
The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended.