Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 370

A Great War M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant T. Cairns, Royal Scots, Labour Corps and Chinese Labour Corps, who was a survivor of the Gretna Green Railway Disaster of 22 May 1915

1914-15 Star (300873 Sjt. T. Cairns. R. Scots.); British War and Victory Medals (2846 Sjt. T. Cairns. R. Scots.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (300873 Sjt. T. Cairns. 7/R. Scots.), mounted as worn, good very fine (4)

M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919.

Thomas Cairns was born at Leith in 1891 and joined the Lowland Brigade, Army Service Corps on 22 September 1914. Transferred to the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots, he was boarded onto trains with his comrades and headed for Gallipoli on 22 May 1915. The greatest British rail disaster of all time occurred at 0649hrs at Quintinshill when the second locomotive smashed into the first, which was stationary. The cause was a signalling error and in the end no less than five trains were involved in the disaster. Fires raged and the death toll was shocking, with 214 soldiers, nine passengers and three railway employees losing their lives. Four further children were never accounted for and a further 246 were injured. Thankfully for Cairns, he was able to answer the Roll Call made of his unit at the close of the day. The BBC would produce Britain's Deadliest Rail Disaster: Quintinshill in 2015.

Cairns would serve on Gallipoli from 12 June 1915 and also on the Western Front, earning his M.S.M. as a Transport Sergeant. He latterly served in France with the Chinese Labour Corps from 21 September 1919 - 3 February 1920 and was discharged on 4 March 1920; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£300

Starting price
£280