Dec 29, 1895
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Born at
Roxborough Ontario to James Robert and Margaret Jane (nee Tait) Blair
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May 23, 1916
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Attested into
the 154th Battalion at Avonmore Ontario
Ø Number 634145
Ø Next of kin given as James Blair, father, of Avonmore Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to “C” Company
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Oct 25, 1916
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Embarked the RMS
Mauretania at Halifax Nova Scotia
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Oct 31, 1916
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Disembarked at
Liverpool England
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Jan 31, 1917
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The Battalion
was absorbed into the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling
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Apr 17, 1917
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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Apr 18, 1917
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Arrived at the
CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France, as part of a draft of 745
reinforcements arriving from England. On
arrival Pte Blair was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Apr 21, 1917
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Left the CBD to
join the Battalion
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May 5, 1917
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Joined the 21st
Battalion as they were departing Aux Rietz to move into Divisional Reserve. There is no explanation in the file for the reason
why it took 2 weeks to join the Battalion
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Aug 16, 1917
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Admitted to the
1st South African General Hospital at Abbeville with a wound to his neck
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Sep 11, 1917
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Transferred to
the No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux to recover from his wounds
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Sep 19, 1917
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Discharged from
the Convalescent Depot and arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at
Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness
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Sep 26, 1917
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Left the CIBD
for 2nd Entrenching Battalion at Hersin but joined the newly formed CC Rein C
(Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Villers Au Bois instead. The CC Rein C was formed to replace the
Entrenching Battalions. Shortly after
arriving there, the CC Rein C was moved to Calonne Ricouart.
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Dec 5, 1917
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Left the CC Rein C
and rejoined the 21st Battalion at the Suburban Camp
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Jan 2, 1918
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Granted 14 days
leave
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Jan 18, 1918
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Rejoined the
Battalion from leave
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Apr 1, 1918
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Pte Blair
received shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and left knee during a German artillery barrage
during the late evening near Neuville Vitasse.
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Apr 2, 1918
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In the early
morning hours he was admitted to the No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid. He was then transferred to the CCS (Casualty
Clearing Station) for additional treatment. Because
of the severity of the wounds, he was transferred immediately to the No 3 Canadian
Stationary Hospital where he died of his wounds.
Doullens Communal Cemetery
Somme France
Following the war the British War Medal,
Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr James
Robert Blair, at Avonmore Ontario
The Memorial
Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs Margaret Blair, at the same address
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