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In memory of:

Sergeant Hugh Cairns

Photo of Hugh Cairns

Citation(s);

Victoria Cross (VC) United Kingdom
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Military service

Service number: 472168
Age: 21
Rank: Sergeant
Force: Army
Unit/Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Division: 46th Battalion
Birth: December 4, 1896 Newcastle-on-Tyne, England
Enlistment: August 2, 1915 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Death: November 2, 1918 Valenciennes, France

Burial/memorial information

AUBERCHICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
Grave reference: I. A. 8.
Additional information

Son of George H. and Elizabeth D. Cairns, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Brother of Corporal Albert Cairns, 46th battalion, died of wounds on 10 September 1918.

Mr. and Mrs. Cairns attended a civic ceremony at Valenciennes, France on July 25, 1936 for the naming of a street in the city L'avenue Hugh Cairns. It was in memory of their son who earned the Victoria Cross but gave his life in the capture of the city from the Germans.

Additional citations

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31155, dated January 28, 1919, records the following:

For most conspicuous bravery before Valenciennes on 1st November, 1918, when a machine gun opened on his platoon. Without a moment's hesitation Serjt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun and single-handed in the face of direct fire, rushed the post, killed the crew of five, and captured the gun. Later, when the line was held up by machine-gun fire, he again rushed forward, killing 12 enemy and capturing 18 and two guns. Subsequently when the advance was held up by machine-guns and field guns, although wounded, he led a small party to outflank them, killing many, forcing about 50 to surrender, and capturing all the guns. After consolidation he went with a battle patrol to exploit Marly and forced 60 enemy to surrender. Whilst disarming this party he was severely wounded. Nevertheless he opened fire and inflicted heavy losses. Finally he was rushed by about 20 enemy and collapsed from weakness and loss of blood. Throughout the operation he showed the highest degree of valour, and his leadership greatly contributed to the success of the attack. He died on the 2nd November from wounds. Distinguished Conduct Medal

Related media

First World War (1914 – 1918)

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 378 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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AUBERCHICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY Nord, France

Auberchicourt is a commune mining village in the Department of the Nord, 11.5 kilometres east of Douai on the road to Valenciennes and AUBERCHICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY is one kilometre west of the village on the northside of the road to Erchin, 300 yards away from the Communal Cemetery.

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

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