Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Belgian Croix du Guerre
RSM Robert Blair DCM earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal the Belgian Croix du Guerre, and twice Mentioned in Despatches. Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig during the Battle of the Somme.
Robert Blair born 23 November 1881 in Coleraine, Londonderry, Ireland. A teamster. Sister Miss S Blair of Melbourne Cottage, Coleraine, Londonderry, Ireland.
31st Regiment, British Columbia Horse
Robert Blair joined the Canadian Corps at Walhachin, B.C., on 10 August 1914. Walhachin now a small ghost town in the Thompson Country region of British Columbia. The Great War a major drain on the community’s manpower when many British settlers returned home to enlist with the BEF. This seriously weakened the colony and eventually contributed to its end in 1922. Bob had previous service with Ireland Imperial Yeomanry and 31st B.C. Horse, beginning in 1910.
Bob examined 10 September 1914, at this time 32 years, 10 months of age, standing 5′ 10″ tall, 175 pounds, with fresh complexion, blue eyes and black hair. A very big man for his time. Habits: Smoker, Temperate. Attested 23 September 1914 at Valcartier with the 5th Battalion.
5th Canadian Battalion (Western Cavalry), Saskatchewan Regiment.
Promoted Sergeant of G Company at Valcartier on 25 September 1914. Captain George Seabrook Thomas Jospeh Pragnell also formerly of 31st B C Horse commanding G Company, with Lieutenants Charles George Dolegarth King-Mason (29th B C Horse), Lorn Paulet Owen Tudor (31st B C Horse) and George Moreweather Ford (16th B C Horse).
England
The battalion disembarked at Full Strength at DEVONPORT on 20 October 1914. WEST DOWN SOUTH Camp, Salisbury Plain reached the following day.
The entire Brigade inspected by General Alderson on 22 October 1914.
Arrived in St Nazaire, France on 15 February 1915. By this time, F and G Companies merged into D Company.
Second Battle of Ypres
Lieutenant Charles George Dolegarth King-Mason killed in action 24 April 1915, and listed on the Menin Gate Memorial. Forty-two other men of the 5th Battalion killed during the first mass gas attacks of the war. Now Major Pragnell leading D company with Sergeant Robert Blair. D Company returned to billets prior to the Battle of Gravenstafel on 24 April 2015.
Sergeant Robert Blair promoted CSM in the Field on 14 December 1915, St Nazaire.
CSM Robert Blair granted 9 days leave, 12 February 1916, returning on 19 February.
Bob promoted Warrant Officer (Class II), 15 June 1916.
CSM Robert Blair Mentioned in Despatches, 13 November 1916, London Gazette No 29890, 4 January 1917. Sir Douglas Haig Despatch of 13 November 1916 for Distinguished and Gallant Services and Devotion to Duty.
CSM Robert Blair to 1st Army School, 5 December 1916 to 11 January 1917.
Vimy Ridge
CSM Robert Blair granted 10 days leave to UK, leave extended, finally returning on 26 July 1917. Shortly before returning to the Western Front, Bob mentioned in the local newspaper.
Hill 70
More to come…
Passchendaele
CSM Robert Blair appointed Acting Regimental Sgt Major With Pay (RSM Haydon to England), 24 December 1917.
DCM
RSM Robert Blair awarded DCM on 1 January 1918. London Gazette No 30450, 7 March 1918.
At Chateau-de-la-Haie on 12 January 1918, RSM Robert Blair decorated with the DCM.
RSM Robert Blair confirmed in appointment as RSM, 27 April 1918. Promoted Warrant Officer (Class I).
RSM Robert Blair granted 14 days Leave to UK, 21 June 1918. After three years, one hundred and eighteen days at the front, Robert remains in the UK until demobilization.
RSM Robert Blair awarded Belgian Croix du Guerre, London Gazette No 30792, 12 July 1918.
Granted 14 days leave, 9 January 1919, returning from leave on 7 February 1919.
Return to Canada
SoS on proceeding to Canada, 10 April 1919.
RSM Robert Blair demobilized at M.D. No. 12 on 24 April 1919 following 55 months of service.
Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No 31448, 14 August 1919.
Lt Col Hugh Marshall Dyer
Nicknamed “Daddy Dyer” by his men, Hugh Marshall Dyer the second CO of the 5th Battalion and commander of the 7th Infantry Brigade.
Following the Great War, Bob worked at Colony Farm Essondale, New Westminster, BC, from 1919 to 1943. 1942/3 a very difficult time there with several staff dying in quick succession. A fire in the kitchen killed a woman from his home town Coleraine. The suicide of the partner of that lady 2 or 3 weeks later. Bob pallbearer at both funerals. His trip to Chilliwack in Feb 1943 to another funeral.
He disappeared on his way back from the funeral in Chilliwack, in a blizzard on the 9th February. His body found 2 months later in the Fraser River.
Many thanks to Robert’s grand-nephew, Nick Blair, and his son William Blair for contributions to this story of a great man.
Please Subscribe
Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.
