Battle of Valenciennes (1918)

In the final month of the First World War the only large-scale battle fought was that for the liberation of Valenciennes, France, from 1 to 2 Nov. 1918, nine days before the armistice. In recognition of his “most conspicuous bravery” during the assault, infantryman Hugh Cairns was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the last given to a Canadian in the Great War.