Hugh Cairns Memorial

Description of the Historic Place

The Hugh Cairns Memorial, also known as the Footballer’s Memorial, features an 18 foot high marble statue of a footballer. Underneath the statue, Hugh Cairns' name is engraved, and on the statue’s base is the inscription of seventy-five Saskatoon football players’ names that lost their lives in World War I. The monument is located in Kinsmen Park near the South Saskatchewan River and the University Bridge.

This historic place is listed under Bylaw No. 6770 (Holding Bylaw). This Bylaw provides short-term protection of the structure from demolition by providing for a 60 day holding period in the event a demolition permit is received. Within that 60 day period heritage designation is considered by City Council.

Heritage Value

The Hugh Cairns Memorial is a symbol of the lives that were lost during World War I, including that of Hugh Cairns who was born in 1896 in England but was raised in Saskatoon. Cairns was an apprentice plumber, and a member of the Christ Church football team and choir. He began his military service at the age of 19 in 1915 when he joined the 65th Battalion.  He later transferred to The 46th Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment, where he attained the rank of sergeant.

In the summer of 1917, Cairns was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  He had led his machine gun crew against a German position, captured enemy gun emplacements and then stayed behind to cover the retreat of his men.  He incurred thirteen pieces of shrapnel in the encounter but recovered. Sergeant Hugh Cairns led three skirmishes during the advance at Valenciennes in Northern France; he was wounded on a fourth skirmish and died the next day, November 2, 1918. He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in 1919 for his extraordinary efforts, an honour which has only been bestowed on six Saskatchewan Soldiers. The official statement which accompanied the award stated: "Throughout the operations he showed the highest degree of valour.  His leadership greatly contributed to the success of the attack."

To commemorate the sacrifice of Cairns and other fallen soldiers of World War I, the Hugh Cairns Memorial was unveiled on June 8, 1921. The monument has a polished granite base, and a marble statue resembling a footballer - Hugh Cairns. On the front of the granite base the following inscription is found "Erected by the Saskatoon Football Association and citizens In memory of Our Fallen Comrades 1914 – 1918." On the statue’s base is the inscription of seventy-five Saskatoon football players’ names that lost their lives in World War I (including the names of Hugh Cairns and his brother Albert).

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the monument's historical significance including its marble statue and granite base with inscriptions.