An Outstanding Leader of Men Researched and Written by Pupils of Bothal Middle School

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HUGH CAIRNS VC & DCM AN OUTSTANDING LEADER OF MEN RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY PUPILS OF BOTHAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Hugh Cairns was born in Ashington on 4 December 1896. He went to Inseparable brothers Bothal School before his family emigrated to Saskatoon, Canada in Hugh and Albert Cairns were described as 1911. Hugh and two of his brothers (Albert & Henry) enlisted in the inseparable brothers. Albert was killed on Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915. Only Henry survived the war. 10 September 1918 during the battle of Cambrai. Hugh was determined to avenge Hugh was sent to France and was awarded both the Victoria Cross his brother’s death and this may help and Distinguished Conduct Medal, Britain’s two highest awards for explain his heroics in November 1918. bravery. He died on 2 November 1918 from the wounds received winning his Victoria Cross. Hugh Cairns Memorial, Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon. Photo QC-1677-3 courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library - Local History. Hugh’s love of football Hugh was a keen footballer and his team won the Saskatoon League Championship shortly before he enlisted in 1915. The Saskatoon Football Memorial is topped by a statue of Hugh Cairns and lists the 75 Saskatoon footballers who were killed in the First World War. Corporal Hugh Cairns shortly before he was promoted to Hugh Cairns Memorial, Lasting legacy Sergeant on 15 August 1918. Saskatoon, Canada Bothal Middle School memorial plaque, unveiled in 1921. Photo PH-HBS-27-2 courtesy of Photo CWM 19940079-023 courtesy of Dedicated to 128 former Bothal School pupils, including Saskatoon Public Library - Local History. George Metcalf Archival Collection, Canadian War Museum. Hugh and Albert Cairns, killed in the First World War. “A VC has been awarded to Hugh Cairns, an old boy” “We must never forget these heroic men (extract from the Head Teacher’s logbook, Bothal School, Ashington - 3 February 1919) and women. Let us all remember” Designed by Azure Printing Tel: 01670 510271.

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