Hugh Cairns

Nine days before the Armistice, 21-year-old Sergeant Hugh Cairns launched a series of extraordinary attacks near Valenciennes that would make him one of Canada’s most celebrated soldiers of the First World War. Mortally wounded during the fighting, he died the following day and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. His courage had already earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and France later appointed him a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur.

Sergeant Hugh Cairns, VC, DCM, regimental number 472168, was born on 4 December 1896 in Ashington, Northumberland, England. His family emigrated to Canada in May 1911 and settled in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where Cairns worked as an apprentice plumber and became active in local football. On 2 August 1915, he and his elder brother Albert enlisted in the 65th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Saskatoon. After reaching England in June 1916, Hugh transferred to the 46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, a Saskatchewan unit that would see some of the hardest fighting of the war. He reached France in August 1916.

Cairns soon established a reputation for exceptional courage under fire. In fighting near La Coulotte and Avion on 3 June 1917, he led a party forward at a critical moment and provided covering fire for another battalion. Despite being wounded, he remained in action until his ammunition was exhausted and only then returned to his own lines. His conduct brought him the Distinguished Conduct Medal, one of the highest British gallantry decorations then available to soldiers below commissioned rank.

His Distinguished Conduct Medal citation recorded:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a party forward at a critical moment and supplying covering fire to the flank of an attacking battalion. With great initiative he recovered two guns, which had been left behind, and posted them, repelling three enemy attacks, and successfully covering our subsequent withdrawal. Though wounded he held on until his ammunition was expended, when he made his way back to our line, having done invaluable service, and set a very fine example.”

Cairns continued fighting with the 46th Battalion through Hill 70, Passchendaele and Amiens, rising through the ranks to corporal and then sergeant. The war also brought devastating personal loss. His brother Albert, who served in the same battalion, died of wounds on 10 September 1918 after the fighting at the Drocourt-Quéant Line. Less than two months later, Hugh Cairns would fight his own final battle.

On 1 November 1918, during the Canadian attack before Valenciennes, German machine-gun fire stopped Cairns’s platoon. He seized a Lewis gun and attacked the position alone, killing its five-man crew and capturing the weapon. When further machine-gun fire blocked the advance, he charged again, killing twelve enemy soldiers and capturing eighteen more with two guns. Though wounded, he later led a small party around another enemy position, helped force roughly fifty men to surrender, and captured their weapons. During a subsequent patrol toward Marly, another sixty enemy soldiers surrendered. Cairns was severely wounded while they were being disarmed, but continued fighting until blood loss caused him to collapse.

For these actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the British Empire. His official citation, published in Supplement No. 31155 to The London Gazette on 31 January 1919, reads:

“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.”

Cairns died of his wounds on 2 November 1918, aged just 21. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously, making his one of the final Canadian Victoria Cross actions of the First World War. France also appointed him a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur, further recognizing his wartime service. His surviving group of honours, now preserved at the Canadian War Museum, includes the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the insignia of a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur.

Sergeant Hugh Cairns is buried in Auberchicourt British Cemetery, Nord, France, grave I.A.8. His memory endured on both sides of the Atlantic. Saskatoon commemorated him through memorials, a school and an armoury, while Valenciennes named an avenue in his honour in 1936. More than a century after his death, Sergeant Hugh Cairns, VC, DCM remains one of the most remarkable Canadian Victoria Cross recipients of the First World War, remembered for leadership and courage displayed almost to the final days of the conflict.