Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Brighstone St Mary the Virgin Church -
- Memorial to Lt G A Cairns VC -

Location

At the western boundary wall of St Mary's Church, Brighstone, Isle of Wight, PO30 4AQ.
 
IWM War Memorials Archive Record

Link : War Memorials Archive Reference 21727  
 
Historic England Listing Status

St Mary's Church is Grade I Listed. The Memorial is situated within the curtilage of the Church, and it is assumed that it is included within the Listing.
 
Description and history

A stone memorial similar to a headstone.

Memorial




 

 

Inscription


 
Further information

Born London, 12th December 1913.

From CWGC record :

Son of Albert Henry and Rose Sophia Cairns; husband of Ena Kathleen Cairns, of Sidcup, Kent. Served with the "Chindits."

The following details are given in the London Gazette of September 4th, 1945: At Henu, near Broadway (Burma) on March 12th, 1944, the South Staffordshire Regiment, which formed a part of the 77th Independent Infantry Brigade, together with the 3rd/6th Gurkha Rifles established a road and rail block across the Japanese lines of communication. The following morning the Japanese counter-attacked heavily, and the South Staffordshire Regiment were ordered to attack a hill-top which formed the basis of the Japanese assault. During this action a Japanese officer attacked Lt. Cairns, and with his sword hacked off his left arm. Lt. Cairns killed this officer, picked up the sword and with it killed or wounded several Japanese, still at the head of his men, before he himself fell to the ground. He subsequently died from his wounds. His action so inspired all his comrades that later the Japanese were completely routed, a very rare occurrence at that time.

Victoria Cross Register website entry