Tom Cairns


Unknown PhotographThomas Cairns (1896-1917) was born in Chopwell, Tyne and Weir in 1896 and died on 13 October 1917 in France. The oldest son of Nancy and Thomas Snr, Cairns worked as a driver before joining Newcastle United Football Club. Cairns served in the British Army during the First World War, when he was killed on active service in 1917.

Football Career

Cairns began his football career local amatuer side Chopwell Villa before spending one year at Newcastle City. In September 1914, Newcastle United paid £20 to take Cairns to St James’ Park, where he was used as backup to the club’s first choice inside-forwards. After failing to break into the first team during the 1914/15 season, Cairns finally made his debut in the final fixture of the campaign, replacing Curtis Booth in a 3-0 home victory over Aston Villa on 28 April 1915. It would prove to be his one and only game for the club.

First World War Service

Gunner 81395 Cairns enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) in 1915 and underwent training before joining “Z” 61st Trench Mortar Battery, part of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Divisional artillery. The unit subsequently took part in operations at Fromelles in 1916 and were part of the forces that undertook a cautious pursuit of the enemy as they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917.

They then saw action during the Third Battle of Ypres. By October 1917, “Z” 61st Trench Mortar Battery were in lines east of Arras as the British Army prepared for its upcoming offensive near Cambrai. On 13 October 1917, Cairns was killed in action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing at the Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery.

 


COMPLETE CAREER STATISTICAL RECORD


 

Season Club League Position FA Cup League Games League Goals FA Cup Games FA Cup Goals
1912/13 Chopwell Villa
1913/14 Newcastle City
1914/15 Newcastle United 15th (First Division) R4 1
Summary
Newcastle United 1
Totals 1

 


A full list of sources used to create this page can be found here.