Private Andrew Blair
Andrew Blair was born on 3 October 1890 at Ardnaglass, Castlefin, County Donegal, the second of six children of farmer Hamilton Blair and his wife Eliza Catherine (née Rodgers). His mother died of tuberculosis when he was just ten years old. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Ardnaglass with his father, four surviving siblings and an uncle, and working on the family farm.
Blair enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 10 and 13 January 1913 (No.779). He embarked for France with C Squadron on 20 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
Soon after, however, Blair fell ill and was evacuated to the UK for treatment. On 26 November 1914 he was discharged as medically unfit for military service.
After his discharge Blair returned to farming at Ardnaglass. On 8 December 1920 he married Sarah Jane Cairns at the Donoughmore Presbyterian Church, County Donegal.