George Albert Cairns
Lieutenant, The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) attchd. The South Staffordshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 170 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) attchd. The South Staffordshire Regiment all South Staffordshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 March 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 20th May 1949 on this day → all of 1949 →
- Born
- 12th December 1913 at London
- Died
- 19th March 1944 at Henu Block, Burma
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Taukkyan War; The Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffs., and in Brighstone Cemetery, Isle of Wight
Digest of citation
On 13th March 1944 at Henu Block, Burma, during an attack on a hill top held by the Japanese, Lieutenant Cairns was attacked by a Japanese officer who with his sword hacked off the lieutenants left arm. The latter killed the officer, picked up the sword and continued to lead his men, slashing left and right with the captured sword, killing and wounding several of the enemy before he himself fell to the ground. He later Died on of wounds, but his action so inspired his comrades that the Japanese were completely routed, a very rare occurrence at that time
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CAIRNS, George Albert. (reg No. 170)
Lieutenant. The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) attchd. The South Staffordshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 20th May 1949.
Born on 12th December 1913 at London.
Died on 19th March 1944 at Henu Block, Burma.
Memorials at Taukkyan War; The Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffs., and in Brighstone Cemetery, Isle of Wight.
Digest of Citation reads: On 13th March 1944 at Henu Block, Burma, during an attack on a hill top held by the Japanese, Lieutenant Cairns was attacked by a Japanese officer who with his sword hacked off the lieutenants left arm. The latter killed the officer, picked up the sword and continued to lead his men, slashing left and right with the captured sword, killing and wounding several of the enemy before he himself fell to the ground. He later Died on of wounds, but his action so inspired his comrades that the Japanese were completely routed, a very rare occurrence at that time.
Additional information: Lieutenant Cairns was the last Victoria Cross recipient to be Gazetted for valour in the Second World War. Although he won the VC in 1944, the Cross was not awarded, posthumously, until 1949. The recommendation for Lieutenant Cairns' award was in the crash, of the aircraft, carrying General Wingate. The recommendation was not recovered until the war was over.
Additional information
Lieutenant Cairns was the last Victoria Cross recipient to be Gazetted for valour in the Second World War. Although he won the VC in 1944, the Cross was not awarded, posthumously, until 1949. The recommendation for Lieutenant Cairns' award was in the crash, of the aircraft, carrying General Wingate. The recommendation was not recovered until the war was over.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Taukkyan War; The Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffs., and in Brighstone Cemetery, Isle of Wight
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour George Albert Cairns by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.