James Blair was born in Neemuch, India on 27 Jan 1828, the son of a Scottish captain in the Bengal cavalry. He entered the 2nd Bombay Cavalry in 1844 and served with them during the Indian Mutiny. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for two brave actions. On 12 Aug 1857, at Neemuch (the place of his birth) he volunteered to deal with 7 or 8 rebels holed up in a house. He burst in and was badly wounded as the men escaped. Despite his wounds he pursued them but it was a dark night and he lost them.
The second occasion was on 23 Oct 1857, at Jeerum where he found himself completely surrounded by mutineers. His sword was broken in the melee and he was once more severely wounded in the arm. He managed to break free and lead his Troop against the enemy, dispersing them.
In December 1874 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and transferred from the 2nd to the command of the 1st Bombay Lancers stationed at Poona. The photo shows him in the green uniform of the 1st Regiment c1880. He left the 1st Bombay Lancers in 1883 and was appointed Political Resident in Aden until 1885 with the rank of Brigadier-General. He reached the rank of General when he retired in 1894. He was appointed CB in 1889 and made Colonel of the 32nd Lancers, his old regiment, in 1904.
He was a cousin of Robert Blair VC, who also won his medal in the Mutiny campaign. General James Blair VC CB died at Melrose, Roxburghshire on 18 January 1905.
