John Esperance Blair

John Esperance Blair

Personal Information
Date of Birth	15 Jul 1896
Place of Birth	Esperance, Western Australia
Death	1962, aged 66
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 9 months
Description	5'6" (1.67m) tall ; 142lbs 64.41 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Clerk
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	2 Kelvin road, Maddington, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Thomas Bell Blair
Military Information
Reg Number	5813
Date of Enlistment	5 Jun 1916
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit/Formation	27th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	30 Oct 1916 ‒ 28 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Date of Return	12 Dec 1918 ‒ 18 Jan 1919
Ship Returned On	HMAT A71 Nestor
Fate	Wounded in Action 29 Aug 1918 Returned to Australia
Monument	Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

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 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 from 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. "A farewell social afternoon was given to Miss Neva Birch, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Birch,, of Baandee, on February 11, on the eve of' her departure for Adelaide, when her marriage to Mr. Jock Blair will take, place."

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

For more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011.