Dec 29, 1895

Born at Roxborough Ontario to James Robert and Margaret Jane (nee Tait) Blair

May 23, 1916

Attested into the 154^th 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

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the RMS Mauretania at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Jan 31, 1917

The Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

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 21^st Battalion

Apr 21, 1917

Left the CBD to join the Battalion

May 5, 1917

Joined the 21^st 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

Aug 16, 1917

Admitted to the 1^st South African General Hospital at Abbeville with a wound to his neck

Sep 11, 1917

Transferred to the No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux to recover from his wounds

Sep 19, 1917

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

Sep 26, 1917

Left the CIBD for 2^nd 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.

Dec 5, 1917

Left the CC Rein C and rejoined the 21^st Battalion at the Suburban Camp

Jan 2, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Jan 18, 1918

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

Apr 1, 1918

Pte Blair received shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and left knee during a German artillery barrage during the late evening near Neuville Vitasse.

Apr 2, 1918

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