Blair | Arthur | | Captain | BLAIR, ARTHUR, Captain, was born 2 September 1869, in India, son of Captain James Jenkins Blair, Central Indian Horse, and Mrs E C C Blair. He was educated at Cheltenham College, and Sandhurst; was gazetted to the King's Own Scottish Borderers as Second Lieutenant 1 March, 1890; promoted Lieutenant 13 February 1893; served in the Nile Expedition, 1898, including the Battle of the Atbara (Egyptian Medal with clasp; Atbara Medal); acted as ADC to Major Genrral, Infantry Brigade, at Aldershot, 10 August to 8 October 1899; served in South African War on Staff; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; participated in the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and in the action at Spion Kop; took part in the operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and in the action at Vaal Kranz; in the operations on the Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and in the action at Pieter's Hill. He served in the operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); was severely wounded. He commanded a regiment of Scottish Horse from 17 December 1900; took part in the operations in Orange River Colony, December 1900, and in operations in Cape Colony, December 1900, to January 1901. During the South African War he was mentioned in Despatches six times [London Gazette, 26 January 1900, 8 February 1901, and 18 July 1902 (Sir R Buller), 30 March, 19 June and 9 November 1900]. He received the Queen's Medal with six clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps, and for gallantry at Spion Kop, in 1899, he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Arthur Blair, Captain, King's Own Scottish Borderers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, and presented by HRH the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He served in the Transvaal, February 1901, to 31 May 1902; was appointed DAAG, Cape Colony District, 10 September 1902, to 22 March, 1904, and DAQMG, Cape Colony District, 23 March, 1904, to 9 September 1905; became Staff Captain and GSO, 3rd Grade, HQ of Army, 26 January 1907, to 25 October 1908; became Major 4 July 1908; was appointed Brigade Major, 10th Brigade, Eastern Command, 26 October 1908, to 25 January 1911; was GSO, 2nd Grade, South Africa, 9 March to 26 September 1912; held the same appointment in Egypt 27 September 1912 to 6 August 1914. He served in the European War from 1914, and was temporarily in the War Office 6 November to 6 December 1914; became Lieutenant Colonel 28 April, 1915; was DAA and QMG, New Armies, BEF, 7 December 1914 to 23 March, 1915; GSO2, 54th Division, BEF, 24 March to 3 May 1915; GS0.1, New Armies, BEF, 24 June, 1915, to 12 February 1916; Brigadier General, General Staff, 5th Army Corps, BEF, 13 February to 19 June 1916; Brigade Commander, 21st Infantry Brigade, Home Forces, 27 October 1916, to 26 February 1917; Brigade Commander, South Midland Reserve Brigade, Home Forces, 14 May to 18 July 1917; Commander, No 3 Section, Tyne Garrison, 19 July 1917, to 8 September 1918; Commander, Tees Garrison, 9 September 1918; promoted to Colonel, April, 1919. For his services in the European War he was twice mentioned in Despatches, and given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1916, for distinguished service in the field. He married (1st), Mary Beryl, daughter of General Buchanan, CB. She died in 1912. He married (secondly), in London, 11 June, 1914, Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Sir Charles Chandos Hoskyns, Bart, and they had three children: Jean Aileen Chandos: David, born 13 February 1916, and Chandos, born in 1919.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | King's Own Scottish Borderers |