Service number:

1523028/176723

Nationality:

British

Promotions:
?: Flight Sergeant;
May 22nd, 1944: Pilot Officer on probation (emergency);
November 22nd, 1944: Pilot Officer;
November 22nd, 1944: Flying Officer (war subs.);
May 22nd, 1946: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
July 14th, 1950: Flying Officer;
June 13th, 1952: Flight Lieutenant.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer on probation (emergency)

Unit:

No. 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1944

Citation:
"As air gunner, Pilot Officer Cairns has taken part in a large number of sorties and has displayed a high standard of skill and determination throughout. On one occasion he was a gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack Leverkusen. On the homeward flight the bomber was intercepted by 3 enemy aircraft. The first attacked from astern below but was struck by an accurate burst of fire from Pilot Officer Cairns's guns and fell to the ground, where it exploded. Almost immediately the second fighter closed in. Pilot Officer Cairns met it with a devastating burst, setting one of its engines on fire. The third enemy aircraft then flew off without attempting to attack. In this spirited action this gallant gunner defended his aircraft with exceptional skill. He has invariably displayed a high standard of courage and devotion to duty."

• - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th June 1944, Issue 36592, dated 4th July 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th July 1944, Issue 36635, dated 1st August 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th December 1944, Issue 36852, dated 22nd December 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th June 1946, Issue 37610, dated 14th June 1946
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 2nd March 1951, Issue 39163, dated 6th March 1951
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 5th December 1952, Issue 39713, dated 9th December 1952