On 1 November 1918, at Valenciennes, France, during the First World War, Sergeant Cairns of the 46th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force rushed forward, capturing an enemy machine gun and taking out a second while capturing 18 enemy soldiers and two more guns.
Although wounded, Cairns led a small party outflanking the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties, and capturing another 50 enemy soldiers.
Later, Cairns and a battle patrol forced 60 more soldiers to surrender, but was shot when disarming the enemy soldiers.
He died of his wounds the next day.
Cairns was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Prior to enlisting, he lived in Saskatoon and apprenticed to a local plumber.
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.
London Gazette, no.31155, 31 January 1919