Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rootsweb Birth ID: I283882 - Born 16 October 1860 in Adelaide, South Australia
(SA Births 1842 - 1906 Book: 15 Page: 461A District: Ade.)

Father Dougald BLAIR (b. 1828 - d. 4/8/1890 Queenstown, SA)  and
Mother Mary Blair (nee BICKERS) - (b. 1829 - 8/10/1910 Semaphore, SA)

31/10/1858  Dougald and Mary immigrated to South Australia from Lanark and
                   Dougald was listed as a Labourer.
                   Onboard the ship "North" from Liverpool arriving 28/1/1859
Note: (ship North, 1,238 tons, Captain Andrew Boyd junior, from Liverpool 31/10/1858
         (1st Nov.), arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia 28/1/1859.)

Siblings:
Brother:  Alexander BLAIR   (b: 1856)
Sister:     Katherine BLAIR   (b: 1858 - d. 12/2/1861 Adelaide, SA)
Himself:   Francis Malcolm BLAIR   (b: 16/10/1860 in Adelaide, SA)
Brother:  Douglas BLAIR   (b: 10/3/1864 in Queenstown, SA)
Sister:     Ann Chalmers BLAIR (b: 11/5/1866 in Queenstown, SA - d.17/8/1939 Semaphore, SA)
              3/7/1889 m. George John Abernethy at St Paul Port Adelaide
Brother:  Herbert William BLAIR   (b: 14/6/1869 in Queenstown, SA)

For 14 years Francis was in the service of the Union Bank.

He went away for five months on a trip to Natal, on his return he joined Mr Malcolm Reid,
with whom he remained until enlisting.

He first enrolled with the Woodville Volunteer Company, which later amalgamated with
the City Company, known as  The City and Woodville Company.

Francis served as a Sergeant and transferred to the City Company as Lieutenant on
17 February 1886.  

He remained with the amalagamated company until he left for Broken Hill in 1888.

Francis returned to Adelaide, after spending three years at Broken Hill, he rejoined
A Company, 3rd Regiment, under Captain Hawke.

1896 he joined the 1st South Australian Contingent, Boer War.

1/11/1899   he left Adelaide, SA for the Boer War.

10/12/1900 he was promoted to Captain

Sept. 1903  He returned to Australia with the Honorary rank of Major.

A few months later he gained the distinction of the colonial auxillary officers' decoration.

Medals:   Queen's Medal with 5 clasps

Dec. 1910   he commenced service as Area Officer for Goodwood.

July 1912    Francis retired from this position

Married:

Shortly after the European War broke out he was appointed to a position on the staff
of censors.

Major Blair continued his workuntil November 1915 - when an attack of illness made him
take leave of absence.

Last lived at Kent Town, SA

16/12/1915      passed away in hosital, Kent Town, SA - 55 years of age
                       (SA Deaths 1842- 1915, Book : 397, Page 393, District Code : Nor)

Buried in:         West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia
                       Section: Road 2; Path #19;  E/W/-Count: E;  Site #14

***NOTE:  This grave has EXPIRED (17/12/2014)  Please contact Adelaide Cemetery Authority
                 by phone 8139 7405 or via email (records@aca.sa.gov.au) to RENEW this grave.

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  24/7/2016.  Lest we forget.