The AIF Project

James Alexander BLAIR

Regimental number264
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLabourer
Address'Goodhurst' via Dalyston, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 6"
Weight136 lbs
Next of kinFather, William Blair, 40 Nelson Street, Belfast, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil (lived in exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme)
Enlistment date28 March 1916
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 2
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/15/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Machine Gun Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 13 July 1919
Discharge date27 December 1919
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 death29 July 1949
Place of burialWilliamstown Cemetery
SourcesNAA: B2455, BLAIR James Alexander

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