Comments about index record
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38615/supplements/2461. Lieutenant George Albert Cairns, The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's), attached The South Staffordshire Regiment. 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 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. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37051/supplements/2214.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Information: The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's). Formerly Second Lieutenant. Regular Army Emergency Commission. Parents: Albert Henry and Rose Sophia Cairns; husband of Ena Kathleen Cairns, of Sidcup, Kent. Served with the "Chindits", a British India Special Force. Last Victoria Cross of the Second World War to be gazetted. Originally recommended for the Victoria Cross by General Wingate, however he was killed and the testimonial could not be re-written until after the war was over and the information obtained again.