in 1945, coleman briefly served as the acting general officer commanding (goc) of the 53rd division. in 1946 he attended the staff college, camberley before returning to command the 160th brigade from 1947 to 1948. from 1949 to 1951 he was goc south-western district and 43rd (wessex) infantry division. he was appointed a companion of the order of the bath (cb) in 1950. he served as commandant of the british sector in berlin from 1951 to 1954 and was appointed a companion of the order of st michael and st george (cmg) in 1954. from 1954 until 1956 he served as chief of staff to the northern army group (british army of the rhine). he was appointed a knight commander of the order of the bath (kcb) in 1957. his final appointment was as goc-in-c eastern command from 1956 to 1959. he served as colonel of the welch regiment from 1958 to 1965.