Sgt. Hugh Cairns, V.C., D.C.M. On November 1, 1918, just 10 days before the First World War ended, Sgt. Hugh Cairns of the 46th Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment, won the Victoria Cross, Great Britain's highest award, awarded for most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The next day he died of injuries sustained in the campaign which resulted in the medal. General Currie would later characterize Sgt. Cairns’ actions as a “superhuman deed” Hugh Cairns was born December 4, 1896 in Ashington, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, to George H. and Elizabeth Dotes Cairns (nee Donkin). He was the third of eleven children who emigrated with his family to Canada; settling in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in May 1911 at age 14. The Cairns family lived in the Caswell Hill area at 713 29th St. West until 1913, then moved a short distance into a larger home at 832 Avenue G North. He worked as an apprentice plumber and lived with his family until his deployment. Hugh was an active and highly regarded footballer. In 1913, he led his team, the Christ Church Intermediate Boys Football club, to the championship of the Sunday School League. He also played for the St. Thomas Church team in 1915 when they won the Saskatoon League Championship. On August 2, 1915 at age 18, Hugh Cairns enlisted with the 65th Battalion. Departing from Canada on June 20, 1916, aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain; the 65th Battalion arrived in Liverpool, England eight days later. On June 30th, Sgt. Cairns was transferred to the 46th Battalion and on 9th of August was on his way to France http://members.shaw.ca/flyingaces/cairns/
This plaque is affixed to the wall near No. 3, Avenue Hugh Cairns. The only street in France ever named after a non-commissioned member of a foreign army, it runs from Canada Square (actually a major traffic circle) toward Nungesser Stadium, named after the WWI French flying ace.
