Robert Bair VC

On 28 Sep 1857 Lieutenant Robert Blair was ordered to retrieve an ammunition wagon at the battle of Bolandshahr. He took a sergeant and 12 men, but was waylaid by a large group of enemy cavalry. He formed his men up and charged at them, killing nine mutineers. His men came through without loss but Blair was badly injured. The history of the regiment says’
‘Blair, while in the act of running a man through, was cut down by another rebel, the blow falling on the top of his shoulder and severing the joint. The arm was taken out of the socket, a piece removed, and the limb replaced. He was awarded the VC for his gallantry, as was also Private Donohoe, who helped him after he was disabled.’
The 9th Lancers fought hard in this battle in which separate actions took place resulting in 5 recommendations for the Victoria Cross. Blair’s citation was gazetted on 18 June 1858, Donohoe’s on 24 Dec 1858. Captain Blair was presented with his medal by the Queen at Southsea Common, on 2 Aug 1858. He then returned to India and contracted smallpox, dying on 28 March 1859 at Cawnpore. He was buried in the Old British Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Robert Blair had been born in Linlithgow on 13 March 1834. He studied Law at Glasgow University and later Balliol, Oxford. His father was a lawyer and he was expected to follow him in that career. But he joined the 9th Lancers as a cornet on 16 Dec 1853. He was a lieutenant on 2 Nov 1855 and transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Guards the following year. However, he remained with the 9th Lancers during the Indian Mutiny and was promoted to captain on 7 July 1858, a month before he received his VC medal. He is mentioned in the story of Lt-Col Robert Abercromby Yule as rushing impetuously to the front when a cavalry action was requested by Major Turner of the artillery on 19 June 1857. This was a brave action which alone should have brought him the Victoria Cross.

Regimental Details | Soldiers