(Last updated: 27.01.08)

The fourteenth person to include within this section is George Cairns

PERSON No. 14: Moira Edge nee Cairns on George Cairns (WOp/AG)

Moira contacted me in November 2007 after finding the website and seeing her dad on a photograph within the section on Ronald Stares. Her dad was Warrant Officer George William Cairns and he was a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner in 206 Squadron. It also turns out that he flew with Ken (Granddad) and a number of other pilots mentioned throughout the website such as F/O Owen and F/O Roxburgh. Moira has sent the following information about her dad along with the photographs below...  

George and Mary Cairns

W/O George William Cairns

RNZAF (411232)

"George William CAIRNS was born in Kaitangata, New Zealand 1922 to George Mitchell Cairns and Catherine nee McNee.

He was working as an orchard hand at Rendez Vous Gardens, Coal Creek, Roxburgh, for his half-brother, Jim Williamson, when war broke out and he seized the opportunity of overseas travel and adventure.

He was attested for service in the NZ Air Force 27^th September 1940 aged 19 and trained as a Wireless Operator / Airgunner in Canada and the UK. He joined the 206 squadron on the 18^th Aug 1942 until 19^th Aug 1944.

As well as flying with F/O Owen and W/O Bass, pilots such as Sgt Earl, S/L Patrick, F/O Michelson, W/C Romanes, F/O Roxburgh, F/L Vickerstaff, are listed repeatedly in George’s log book.

Aircraft he flew in were Norseman, Menasco Moth, Battle, Botha, Anson, Hudson, Fortress E, Oxford, Fortress 17 BF (?), Domine and the Warwick

He met and married Mary Reid McGinigle in Paisley, Scotland. and Mary came out on the SS Rimutaka Jan 1945 (Geordie was fined in a mock court (a form of fundraising) for “ importing scotch” at Roxburgh New Zealand).

Following his return from the war he worked at the Roxburgh hydro, and bought land and planted it out in fruit trees before finally buying the orchard from his half-brother. But he sometimes said maybe he should have stayed in the Air Force.

He spoke of his days in the 206 squadron, saying the camaraderie made them some of the best years of his life.

Dad would have loved all this information available to us via the internet now but sadly, he died in Nov 1995.

Moira Edge nee Cairns NZ - 24th Jan 2008"

Housework at St Eval?                  Azores Feb 1944 - 2nd Left: Cairns

Front Right: George Cairns

  March 6th 1943

Sgt Clough - Sgt Stares - W/O Marriot - W/Cmdr Romanes - F/S Baldwin - F/S Bickell - Sgt Norris - W/O Cairns