| Surname: | Blair |
| Initials: | R B |
| Rank: | Corporal |
| Army Number: | 2977858 |
| Notes: | CMP. Enlisted in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, transferred to CMP. War Diary, 51 Highland Div Pro Coy, WO 171/ 4258, 10/2/45 Award of BEM to 2977858 Cpl R Blair for courage and leadership during the bombing attack at St. Aignan. Congratulations from all ranks. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 36918 Page: 685 Jan. 30, 1945) |
| Citation: | Normandy. Citation for BEM: On the 14th August, 1944, Corporal Blair was in charge of a traffic post at St. Aignan de Cremesnil. In the afternoon this area was heavily bombed by our own Air Force. Corporal Blair, instead of taking cover, immediatley organised his section to deal with this unexpected emergency. Not only did he continue to supervise the direction of traffic, which naturally became disorganized, but he personally carried wounded men to cover from the exposed area. By his coolness and complete disregard for the extreme danger, Corporal Blair not only saved the lives of many men, but by his example he encouraged drivers to keep a steady flow of traffic, thereby minimising the danger of the bombs. Nationa Archive WO 373/69 Pt.1. |