James Blair

James was born in Ballymena, Ireland on January 10, 1882. His father was William. Little is known of his early life experiences, but 1910 finds James, age 28, living in Georgetown, marrying Bessie Rachel McNally age 19, of Georgetown. The 1911 Canadian Census finds James, a boarder, living with the McNally family on Market St. in Georgetown (now 5 William St.). He informs the census taker that he immigrated to Canada in 1907 and he earns $500 a year as a papermaker. James sings in the Baptist choir.

In 1916 at age 34, James, as many do, enlists in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, willing to do his part for God and Country. His medical exam finds no cause for rejection and he soon joins the 164th Battalion. James signs a Will in March 1917 , leaving his real and personal estate to his wife Bessie.

He arrives in England aboard the SS. Carpathia (the rescue ship of the Titanic) and is given the rank of Lance Corporal. He is transferred to the 119th Bn, reverts to the rank of Private at his own request and is later transferred to the 116th.

In June 1918 he is “Awarded one Good Conduct Badge” in the field. On September 21, 1918 he is appointed A/Lance Corporal and eight days later he is dead…his military file noting “killed in action”.

Bessie is now a widow. The War Service Gratuity of $180 paid to dependents of deceased soldiers and the few medals James receives, will likely be of very little solace to Bessie. One wonders if James’s father was ever aware that his son had given his life.

James was buried at St. Olle British Cemetery, France (1 Km west of Cambrai on the main road toward Arras). James is memorialized on the Cenotaph in Remembrance Park, Georgetown and on a memorial window at St. George’s Anglican Church in Georgetown, where collection plates were obtained in his memory.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. Information obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Veterans of Canada, Ancestry.ca, Richard Ruggle Archivist Lorne Scots Regiment.