James Blair
Captain (later General), 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry
- Register No.
- 96 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (later General) (register: Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry all 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry VCs →
- Date of action
- 12 August 1857, 23 October 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 25th February 1862 on this day → all of 1862 →
- Born
- 27th January 1828 at Nimach, Gwalior State, India
- Died
- 18th January 1905 at Melrose, Scotland
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 12th August 1857 at Neemuch, India, Captain Blair volunteered to apprehend seven or eight armed mutineers who had shut themselves up in a house. He burst open the door and after a fierce encounter during which he was severely wounded, the rebels escaped through the roof. In spite of his wounds he pursued, but was unable to catch them. On 23rd October at Jeerum, the captain fought his way through a body of rebels who had surrounded him. In theaction he broke his sword and was wounded, but nevertheless he led his men in a charge on the rebels and dispersed them
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BLAIR, James (Reg. No. 96)
Captain (later General) 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry.
London Gazetted on 25th February 1862.
Born on 27th January 1828 at Nimach, Gwalior State, India.
Died on 18th January 1905 at Melrose, Scotland.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 12th August 1857 at Neemuch, India, Captain Blair volunteered to apprehend seven or eight armed mutineers who had shut themselves up in a house. He burst open the door and after a fierce encounter during which he was severely wounded, the rebels escaped through the roof. In spite of his wounds he pursued, but was unable to catch them. On 23rd October at Jeerum, the captain fought his way through a body of rebels who had surrounded him. In theaction he broke his sword and was wounded, but nevertheless he led his men in a charge on the rebels and dispersed them.
Additional information: He is the cousin of Lieutenant R. Blair VC. (reg. No.. 97). Captain Blair has also a Companion (of the Order) of the Bath. (CB).
Additional information
He is the cousin of Lieutenant R. Blair VC. (reg. No.. 97). Captain Blair has also a Companion (of the Order) of the Bath. (CB).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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