| Regimental number | 264 |
| Place of birth | Belfast, Co Antrim, Ireland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 'Goodhurst' via Dalyston, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 136 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, William Blair, 40 Nelson Street, Belfast, Ireland |
| Previous military service | Nil (lived in exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 2 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 24/15/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 16 August 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 2 October 1916; marched into Australian Details, No 3 Camp, Parkhouse, from hospital, 25 November 1916. Transferred to 5th Division Machine Gun Company, 13 February 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 7 September 1917. Admitted to 3rd Australian Division Rest Station, 19 February 1918 (bronchitis); discharged to duty, and rejoined unit, 27 February 1917. Admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance, 4 May 1918 (bronchitis), and transferred same day to 4th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 28, 6 May 1918, and admitted to 16th General Hospital, Rouen; to England, 11 May 1918, and admitted to Reading War Hospital, 12 May 1918. Transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 4 July 1918; discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 10 July 1918. Marched out to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 10 August 1918; marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 31 August 1918. Marched into Machine Gun Training Depot, Parkhouse, 13 September 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 2 October 1918; rejoined unit, in the field, 9 October 1918. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 12 May 1919. Commenced return to Australia from London on board HT 'Takada', 18 July 1919; admitted tio ship's hospital, 7 August 1919 (bronchitis); discharged from hospital, 20 August 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 7 September 1919; discharged, 27 December 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Place of burial | Williamstown Cemetery |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BLAIR James Alexander |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
