George Albert Cairns
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George Albert Cairns (December 12, 1913 - March 19, 1944) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 30 years old, and a lieutenant in The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's), British Army, attached to The South Staffordshire Regiment during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 13 March 1944 at Henu Block, Burma (now Myanmar), 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 lieutenant's 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 of his wounds, but his action so inspired his comrades that the Japanese were completely routed, a very rare occurrence at that time.
[edit] Further information
Last VC to be gazetted for the Second World War - the original recommendation was with General Wingate when he was killed in an air crash and the necessary information could not be obtained again until the war was over.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Staffordshire Regiment (Lichfield, Staffordshire, England).
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
