Canadian War Veterans Memorial Project
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Leading Aircraftman Burton William Cairns

Survivor of WW2

Date of Death:

Biography General Links Ranks Awards Chronology Print

Service Biography

Burton William Cairns was born at Brysonville, Quebec, on 20 February 1918. He attended Ormstown High School, where a recruiting reference later noted his ability in craftsmanship, mechanics and woodwork, and worked on farms, in cabinet making and as a fitter before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 16 October 1942. He served in Canada as an Airframe Mechanic, rising to Leading Aircraftman, and married Eleanor Margaret Moe at Ormstown on 22 June 1944. He was honourably released on 18 October 1945 and planned to train in practical or construction carpentry in Vancouver. Cairns later lived in British Columbia and died at M.S.A. Hospital in Abbotsford on 28 January 2002, in his 83rd year.

General Information

Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
R195349
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Battalion:
No. 8 Release Centre / RCAF release organization
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Brysonville, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
24 years 7 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
27 years 7 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
83 years 11 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Fitter
Next of Kin:
William David Cairns, father, Brysonville, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Brysonville, Quebec
Religion:
United Church of Canada
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 5.5 in / 166 cm
Weight:
130 lbs / 59 kg
Chest:
35.0 in / 89 cm
Expansion:
2.5 in / 6 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
1098 days in service
Buried at:
Ancestry.com

Ranks

Conflict Rank Regiment Branch Unit Company Date From Date To
WW2 Leading Aircraftman Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 8 Release Centre / RCAF release organization
WW2 Leading Aircraftman Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 1 Initial Flying School
WW2 Leading Aircraftman Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 9 Repair Depot
WW2 Aircraftman First Class Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 9 Repair Depot
WW2 Aircraftman Second Class Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 9 Repair Depot
WW2 Aircraftman Second Class Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF training posting, St. Thomas
WW2 Aircraftman Second Class Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force No. 1 Manning Depot
WW2 Aircraftman Second Class Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force

Awards

Conflict Award Action Date of Award Date of Citation Source
WW2 Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
WW2 War Service Badge, General Service Class

Service Chronology

1918-02-20 — Born at Brysonville, Quebec. Place / Unit: Brysonville, Quebec.
1925-1936 — Attended Ormstown High School; completed primary schooling and three years of high school/Grade 10. Place / Unit: Ormstown, Quebec / Ormstown High School.
1936-1938 — Worked on a farm for Robert Elliott. Place / Unit: Ormstown, Quebec / Robert Elliott.
1938-1939 — Worked in cabinet making for Henry Morgan's. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / Henry Morgan's.
1939-1940 — Worked in cabinet making for RCA Victor. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / RCA Victor.
1940-08-07 — Attested for service in the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada. Place / Unit: Brysonville, Quebec / Canadian militia.
1940-1942 — Worked as a fitter for Noorduyn Aviation at Longue Pointe. Place / Unit: Longue Pointe, Quebec / Noorduyn Aviation.
1941-1942 — Served as a Private with the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars before RCAF enlistment. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars.
1942-09-30 — Completed the RCAF Educational Achievement Test and received a passing score of thirteen (13). Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / No. 13 Recruiting Centre, RCAF.
1942-10-16 — Enlisted voluntarily in the Royal Canadian Air Force as Aircraftman Second Class. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / Royal Canadian Air Force.
1942-10-22 — Taken on strength of No. 1 Manning Depot. Place / Unit: Toronto, Ontario / No. 1 Manning Depot, RCAF.
1942-11-13 — Completed Parts 1 and 2 of recruits' industry instruction. Place / Unit: Toronto, Ontario / No. 1 Manning Depot, RCAF.
1942-11-14 — Attended the Elementary Anti-Gas Instruction Course at No. 1 Manning Depot. Place / Unit: Toronto, Ontario / No. 1 Manning Depot, RCAF.
1942-12-18 — Posted from Toronto to St. Thomas for further RCAF training. Place / Unit: St. Thomas, Ontario / Royal Canadian Air Force.
1943-04-25 — Struck off strength at St. Thomas on posting to No. 9 Repair Depot. Place / Unit: St. Thomas, Ontario to No. 9 Repair Depot.
1943-04-30 — Taken on strength at No. 9 Repair Depot and recommended/suitable for Airframe Mechanic duties. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-05-28 — Reclassified Aircraftman First Class. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-05-28 to 1943-06-01 — Took five days' privilege leave. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-07-19 to 1943-07-30 — Took 12 days' annual leave. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-08-06 — A Fifth Victory Loan purchase agreement recorded a $500 bond purchase through RCAF pay assignment. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-09-02 — Was awarded three days' confined-to-station punishment for appearing on parade with boots not shined. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-10-01 — Reclassified Leading Aircraftman. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-10-13 — Completed a St. John Ambulance course. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1943-12-24 to 1943-12-28 — Took five days' Christmas leave. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1944-02-05 — A wartime pay record shows a $22.00 payment associated with his father, William D. Cairns, at Brysonville, Chateauguay County, Quebec; the record does not safely identify the payment category. Place / Unit: Brysonville, Quebec / RCAF family-pay administration.
1944-04-25 — A Sixth Victory Loan certificate dated 25 April 1944 recorded $1,000.00 in Sixth Victory Loan bonds, with six monthly RCAF pay assignments of $16.50 from May through October 1944. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1944-05-25 — Reported sick with nausea; the sick-parade card records a diagnosis of gastro-enteritis. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1944-06-19 to 1944-07-02 — Took 14 days' annual leave. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1944-06-22 — Married Eleanor Margaret Moe at Ormstown, Quebec. Place / Unit: Ormstown, Quebec.
1944-10-18 — Reported the loss of his identification card while moving personal effects from one barrack to another. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1944-12-23 to 1944-12-27 — Took five days' Christmas leave. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot, RCAF.
1945-01-24 — Struck off strength of No. 9 Repair Depot on posting to No. 1 Initial Flying School. Place / Unit: No. 9 Repair Depot to No. 1 Initial Flying School.
1945-01-26 — Taken on strength of No. 1 Initial Flying School after posting from No. 9 Repair Depot. Place / Unit: No. 1 Initial Flying School, RCAF.
1945-04-23 — An Eighth Victory Loan certificate recorded his purchase of $100 in bonds through six monthly RCAF pay assignments of $16.80. Place / Unit: No. 1 Initial Flying School, Deseronto, Ontario.
1945-05-29 — Personnel counselling recorded that he wanted postwar training in practical or construction carpentry under the Unemployment Insurance Commission, with the aim of obtaining steady work and eventually building a home of his own. Place / Unit: Deseronto, Ontario / No. 1 Initial Flying School.
1945-06-13 — A $50 Victory Loan bond was forwarded by registered mail to Mrs. B. W. Cairns at 225 Elm Avenue, Westmount, Montreal. Place / Unit: Westmount, Quebec / RCAF Victory Loan administration.
1945-09-17 to 1945-10-07 — Took 21 days' special leave immediately before final release processing. Place / Unit: RCAF release system.
1945-09-18 — No. 1 Initial Flying School reported him posted for release effective 7 October 1945, with reporting 8 October and 21 days special leave. Place / Unit: No. 1 Initial Flying School / RCAF release system.
1945-09-22 — RCAF Station Trenton issued discharge/release documentation stating his discharge was authorized under KR (Air) 15(1)(v), completion of a term of voluntary service during an emergency. Place / Unit: RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.
1945-10-07 — Struck off strength after 1,087 days of the main period of qualifying service. Place / Unit: Canada / Royal Canadian Air Force.
1945-10-08 — Taken on strength for final release processing. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / RCAF release organization.
1945-10-16 — Discharge chest X-ray was negative and heart shadow was reported normal. Place / Unit: No. 8 Release Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia.
1945-10-17 — Dental discharge memorandum recorded at No. 8 Release Centre. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / No. 8 Release Centre, RCAF.
1945-10-17 — Final personnel counselling recommended training in UIC carpentry and referral in Vancouver after release. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / RCAF release counselling.
1945-10-17 — A release medical assessment recorded him fit to engage in any type of employment. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / No. 8 Release Centre, RCAF.
1945-10-18 — Honourably released as a Leading Aircraftman on completion of a term of voluntary service during the emergency. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / Royal Canadian Air Force.
1949-05-02 — Veterans Affairs authorized $270 from his re-establishment credit for furniture from Woodward Stores Ltd.; his address was 2058 West 8th Avenue. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / Department of Veterans Affairs.
1949-10-04 — A postwar medal application mailed from Vancouver gave his address as 4402 West 22nd Avenue. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / Department of Veterans Affairs medal administration.
2002-01-28 — Died at M.S.A. Hospital in Abbotsford, British Columbia, in his 83rd year. Place / Unit: Abbotsford, British Columbia / M.S.A. Hospital.
2002-02-03 — Memorial service was held in Gibson, Vancouver. Place / Unit: Vancouver, British Columbia / Gibson.

Notes

Born at Brysonville, Quebec, Burton Cairns attended Ormstown High School from 1925 to 1936, completing Grade 10/three years of high school. Before joining the RCAF he did farm work, cabinet work for Henry Morgan's and RCA Victor in Montreal, and worked as a fitter for Noorduyn Aviation at Longue Pointe. He enjoyed woodworking and participated moderately in a variety of sports. He spoke English fluently and some French. He married Eleanor Margaret Moe at Ormstown on 22 June 1944. His release papers in October 1945 still show Brysonville as his civilian address, while final personnel counselling gives a post-discharge mailing address of 950 West 14th Avenue, Vancouver; by 1949 Veterans Affairs records show him at 2058 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. He intended to train as a cabinet maker after release. A Sixth Victory Loan certificate dated 25 April 1944 records $1,000.00 in Sixth Victory Loan bonds, with six monthly RCAF pay assignments of $16.50 from May through October 1944. A second wartime savings record, dated 23 April 1945 while he was at No. 1 Initial Flying School, shows a $100 Eighth Victory Loan bond purchase through six monthly pay deductions of $16.80. His War Service Gratuity records show $270 payable for qualifying Canadian service, with no overseas-service supplement. On 2 May 1949 Veterans Affairs authorized $270 from his re-establishment credit for furniture from Woodward Stores Ltd.; he was then living at 2058 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. A medal application mailed in October 1949 gives a later address of 4402 West 22nd Avenue, Vancouver. At release counselling he said he wanted a course in practical or construction carpentry under the Unemployment Insurance Commission. The counsellor considered him a good prospect for training; Cairns said he wanted steady employment and hoped eventually to build a home of his own. His wartime savings records also include a Fifth Victory Loan agreement dated 6 August 1943 for a $500 bond purchased through RCAF pay assignment. On 13 June 1945 a $50 Victory Loan bond was forwarded by registered mail to his wife Eleanor at 225 Elm Avenue, Westmount. Recruiting references from Ormstown High School described him as a faithful worker, especially capable in craftsmanship, mechanics and woodwork, with a satisfactory general school record. His RCAF Educational Achievement Test, taken 30 September 1942, was graded thirteen (13), pass. War Service Grants administration after discharge records a monthly dependent's allowance of $32.20 in issue, with no overpayment of dependent's allowance or assigned pay deductible from his War Service Gratuity. His 1945 RCAF release certificate described him as 5 feet 5½ inches tall, with a medium-dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair; identifying marks included a scar on the left temple and two scars on the right cheek. His final personnel-counselling form gives his post-discharge mailing address as 950 West 14th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia. Wartime dependants' allowance records show $37.20 payable to Eleanor Cairns at 225 Elm Avenue, Westmount. This is distinct from the $32.20 monthly dependants' allowance later recorded in post-discharge War Service Grants administration. A wartime pay record also shows $37.20 dependants' allowance plus $25.00 assigned pay, for a total payment of $62.20 to Eleanor. A separate wartime pay record dated 5 February 1944 shows a $22.00 payment associated with William D. Cairns at Brysonville, Chateauguay County, Quebec. On 18 October 1944 he reported losing his identification card while moving his personal effects from one barrack to another. At release in October 1945, the medical assessment recorded him fit to engage in any type of employment.

[Previous notes - manual reconciliation required]

Burton William Cairns BIRTH 20 FEB 1918 • Ormstown, Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada DEATH 28 JAN 2002 • Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Marriage 21 Jun 1944 • Ormstown, Quebec, Canada Eleanor Margaret Moe 1920–1975
Request confirmation number EA2026_0173084

Additional Service Notes

Before his RCAF enlistment, Cairns had prior Canadian militia service; a Non-Permanent Active Militia attestation is dated 7 August 1940. Cairns enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 16 October 1942 and was taken on strength at No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, on 22 October. He completed Parts 1 and 2 of recruits' industry instruction on 13 November and attended the Elementary Anti-Gas Instruction Course on 14 November 1942. He served entirely in Canada as a ground tradesman and Airframe Mechanic, moving from No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto to training at St. Thomas, then No. 9 Repair Depot and No. 1 Initial Flying School at Deseronto before release processing in Vancouver. He progressed from Aircraftman Second Class to Aircraftman First Class and Leading Aircraftman. His record documents privilege, annual and Christmas leave in 1943-44, including five days' privilege leave from 28 May to 1 June 1943 and 14 days' annual leave from 19 June to 2 July 1944. On 2 September 1943 he received three days confined to station for appearing on parade with boots not shined. He was posted from No. 9 Repair Depot to No. 1 Initial Flying School in January 1945. He took 21 days' special leave from 17 September to 7 October 1945 before final release processing and was honourably released at Vancouver on 18 October 1945. A sick-parade record dated 25 May 1944 records nausea diagnosed as gastro-enteritis.

Additional Next of Kin Notes

Father: William David Cairns, station agent, Brysonville, Quebec. Mother: Joanna Wilhelmina Hamilton Cairns, born Ormstown, Quebec, deceased before his 1942 RCAF enlistment. Wife: Eleanor Margaret Moe, married 22 June 1944 at Ormstown, Quebec. His obituary states that Eleanor predeceased him and names daughters Julie (Vanckaert), Patsy (Coombs), Susan (Foley) and Barbara (Yang); older brother Ivan (Agnes); and younger brother Wesley, who predeceased him. A 1945 Victory Loan certificate gives Eleanor Cairns's address as 225 Elm Avenue, Westmount, Montreal, Quebec. On 13 June 1945 a $50 Victory Loan bond was mailed to Eleanor at that Westmount address. A wartime family-particulars form records his father William David Cairns as living at Brysonville and working as a station agent; his mother was deceased. On the wartime family-particulars form Cairns reported no children and no other relatives wholly or partially dependent on him; his 2002 obituary later names four daughters. Post-discharge War Service Grants correspondence records a $32.20 monthly dependants' allowance in issue; no overpayment of dependent's allowance or assigned pay was recorded. Wartime dependants' allowance records show $37.20 payable to Eleanor at 225 Elm Avenue, Westmount; post-discharge War Service Grants correspondence later records a $32.20 monthly dependants' allowance. A wartime pay record shows $37.20 dependants' allowance plus $25.00 assigned pay, totalling $62.20 to Eleanor. A wartime pay record dated 5 February 1944 shows a $22.00 payment associated with his father, William D. Cairns, at Brysonville, Chateauguay County, Quebec.

Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-10-01 02:05:04 by: marc