2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
04/05/1891
Died:
31/10/1914 (Killed in Action)
Age:
23
Summary
John Cairns was the son of Thomas and Phoebe Cairns. John was born on 4th May 1891 in Errigal, Ballygawley. John’s father Thomas had been a Gunner in the Mid Ulster Artillery. He was educated at the local National School. John worked as a labourer. The family lived in Ballygawley town. John Cairns enlisted in Ballygawley in 1909, and was called up on mobilisation in August 1914. Sergeant John Cairns was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 31st October 1914 at the Battle of Messines in France. He was 23 years old.
Further Information
John Cairns was the son of Thomas and Phoebe Cairns. Thomas Cairns and Phoebe Montgomery were married on 10th April 1890 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas had been a gunner in the Mid Ulster Artillery. Phoebe was the daughter of James Montgomery of Fedden, Ballygawley.
John Cairns was born on 4th May 1891 in Errigal, Ballygawley. He was one of at least six children, all born in the Ballygawley area.
The 1901 census records John as 10 years old. He is living with the family in Ballygawley. His father Thomas was a labourer. John was at school. He was educated at the local National School.
John’s father, Thomas Cairns, appears to have died on 3rd March 1908 in Ballygawley, aged 58.
The 1911 census shows John as 20 years old. His father had died. John was working as a labourer. The family were living in Ballygawley town.
John Cairns enlisted in Ballygawley in 1909, and was called up on mobilisation in August 1914. He arrived in France on 22nd September 1914.
Sergeant John Cairns was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 31st October 1914 at the Battle of Messines in France. He was 23 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10 December 1914:
CAIRNS – Killed in action at the front (date and battle not stated) – Sergeant John Cairns, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, eldest son of Mrs Cairns, Ballygawley.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9 December 1914:
Sergeant John Cairns, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, husband of Mrs Cairns, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, killed in action.
The CWGC record John as the son of Thomas and Phoebe Cairns, of Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone.
His brother, Private William Cairns (No 17584), served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. William Cairns survived the war.
