Lance Corporal John James Cairns (14416962) served in 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers during the Second World War. Known as Jack, he was the 3rd son of William "Billy" Cairns and Mary Jane Cairns (née Wallace) of 37 Castle Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Jack died on 8th October 1944 aged 18 years old while serving in D Company, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Company came under heavy artillery fire including mortars and self-propelled grenades.
John James Cairns’ grave is in Section I, Row L, Grave 16 of Santerno Valley War Cemetery, Italy. His name is on the Ballymena War Memorial, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. His headstone in Italy bears the inscription:
He lived and died for others; be that his fame.