View source for John Esperance Blair

{{infobox soldier
| image           =[[File:Unknown.png|border|400px]]
| caption         =
| image2          =
| caption2        =
| dateofbirth	  = 15 Jul 1896
| placeofbirth	  = Esperance, Western Australia
| death	          = 1962, aged 66
| placeofdeath	  = 
| enlistmentage	  = 19 years, 9 months
| description	  = 5'6" (1.67m) tall; weight 142lbs; fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair
| height          = 5'6" (1.67m)
| weight          = 142lbs
| complexion      = fresh
| eyes            = blue
| hair            = brown
| descriptionnote = 
| occupation	  = Clerk
| religion	  = Presbyterian
| address	  = 2 Kelvin road, Maddington, Western Australia
| relation	  = Father
| nextofkin       = Mr Thomas Bell Blair
| regnumber	  = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3096268 5813]
| enlistmentdate  = 5 Jun 1916
| rank	          = Lance Corporal
| unit     	  = 27th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement
| embarkationdatefrom = 30 Oct 1916
| embarkationdateto = 28 Dec 1916
| shipembarked	  = [[HMAT A16 Port Melbourne]]
| dateofreturnfrom = 12 Dec 1918
| dateofreturnto  = 18 Jan 1919
| shipreturned    = [[HMAT A71 Nestor]]
| shipreturnednote =
| dateofreturnfrom2 = 
| dateofreturnto2  = 
| shipreturned2    = 
| shipreturnednote2 =
| fate1	          = Wounded in Action 29 Aug 1918
| fate2           = Returned to Australia
| fate3           = 
| fate4           =
| monument1	  = Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
| monumentnote1   =
| monument2	  = 
| monumentnote2   =
| monument3	  = 
| monumentnote3   =
| monument4	  = 
| monumentnote4   =
| monumentawm     =
| medal1	  = [[British War Medal]]
| medal2          = [[Victory Medal]]
| medal3          =
| medal4          =
}}



==Pre War==
From 17 Jun 1912 until 23 Sep 1913 John was a Cadet in the Audit Section of the WA Government Railways with a salary of £50 per annum.  He was 'dispensed' with  following a shorthand test which he failed.

==War Service==
John entered camp on 5 Jun 1916 and spent the first few weeks training with the 72nd Depot Company before being allocated to the 5th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion on 20 Jun 1916. This was changed to the 27th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion on 5 Sep 1916, and he embarked with them on 30 Oct 1916 for England, as a Lance Corporal for the voyage.

On arrival at Devonport three days after Christmas Day, he was assigned to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone to prepare for France.  On 8 Feb 1917 he proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone aboard [[SS Invicta]], and on 12 Feb 1917 was taken on strength of the 27th Battalion. 

On 17 May 1917 he was again appointed Lance Corporal, but reverted to Private on 28 Jun 1917. John enjoyed a period of UK leave from 19 Jan  until 4 Feb 1918, and soon after his return was appointed Lance Corporal a third time on 15 Mar 1918.  He was promoted Temporary Corporal on 12 Jun 1918.

John was wounded in action on 29 Aug 1918 during the capture of Bianches as the Australians moved towards Peronne and Mont St Quentin. On 29 Aug 1918 he was seen first by the 6th Australian Field Ambulance and then by the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station who after providing basic medical attention for bullet wounds to his neck and both thighs, forwarded him the next day to the 12th General Hospital in Rouen. Evacuated to England on 2 Sep 1918, he had reverted to Lance Corporal while his wounds were treated. On the next day John was admitted to the Cheltenham VA Hospital where he remained receiving treatment until he was released to the [[2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital]] at Hurdcott on 24 Oct 1918.  Checked out he was then released to enjoy another period of leave from 24 Oct - 7 Nov 1918. 

When he returned form leave, it was to the 1st Command Depot where his return to Australia was prepared.

Discharged by the 5th Military District on 22 Feb 1919.


==Post War==
On 14 Feb 1934 John married Neva Birch in South Australia.

Electoral Roll entries: 1929 Mataranka, Northern Territory, labourer; 1936 - 1937 at Comet Vale, WA, miner; 1943 at 109 MacDonlad street Kalgoorlie, miner; 1954 a farmer at Baandee with Neva; 1958 at 109 MacDonald street, Kalgoorlie, prospector
==Notes==
<references />

==External Links==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blair , John Esperance}}

[[Category:Soldier]]
[[Category:Born Australia]]
[[Category:Born WA]]
[[Category:Clerk]]
[[Category:Presbyterian]]
[[Category:27th Battalion]]
[[Category:1918 WIA]]
[[Category:Returned to Australia]]
[[Category:Gosnells]]