The Northumberland Branch of The Western Front Association is campaigning to get Sergeant Hugh Cairns honoured in Ashington.
Sgt Cairns was born in Ashington in 1896 but moved to Canada. During the First World War, he joined the Canadian forces and went to France. In 1917, he was involved in the battle for Vimy Ridge, winning the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry.
Sgt Cairns' brother was killed in battle and it is said that, from this point, he had no interest in returning home, only in avenging his sibling's loss.
In battle at Valienciennes in 1918, Sgt Cairns was credited with killing, capturing or forcing to surrender scores of Germans.
He was killed in the battle but was awarded the Victoria Cross in honour of his bravery. A street was named after him in France - Avenue Sergeant Cairns - and a memorial statue erected in the Canadian town where he grew up, Saskatoon.
His citation read:
For most conspicuous bravery before Valenciennes on 1st November, 1918, when a machine gun opened on his platoon. Without a moment's hesitation Serjt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun and single-handed, in the face of direct fire, rushed the post, killed the crew of five, and captured the gun. Later, when the line was held up by machine-gun fire, he again rushed forward, killing 12 enemy and capturing 18 and two guns.
Subsequently, when the advance was held up by machine guns and field guns, although wounded, he led a small party to outflank them, killing many, forcing about 50 to surrender, and capturing all the guns. After consolidation he went with a battle patrol to exploit Marly and forced 60 enemy to surrender. Whilst disarming this party he was severely wounded. Nevertheless, he opened fire and inflicted heavy losses. Finally he was rushed by about 20 enemy and collapsed from weakness and loss of blood.
Throughout the operation he showed the highest degree of valour, and his leadership greatly contributed to the success of the attack. He died on the 2nd November from wounds.
However, in Ashington, Sgt Cairns is only a name in the afterthoughts section of the town's war memorial, and mentioned on a plaque at the school he went to, Bothal Middle.
The Northumberland Branch of The Western Front Association is trying to have Sgt Cairns remembered.
The Branch's Secretary, David Easton (also WFA National Branch Co-ordinator), has approached Ashington Town Council asking for the authority's help.
David said: "I just think it is very important that we remember what happened to him, it is 100 years ago now."
Some of the article and top image courtesy of The Journal.
Other images and text courtesy Wikipedia.
