Hugh Cairns VC DCM was born in Ashington, England. He settled at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1911.

On November 1st, 1918 with the 46th Infantry Battalion, near Valenciennes France, Sgt. Cairns jumped into action, when a German machine gun suddenly opened fire on the Canadians. Grabbing a Lewis machine gun, in the face of direct enemy fire, Cairns rushed towards the enemy position, killing 12 of the gunners and capturing 18 of them along with their guns. Later, he forced 50 others to surrender but was shot in the stomach and died of his wounds.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) and is buried in Auberchicourt Cemetery, east of Doaui in France.