He was born in Germany, but appears first in records as a 2nd Lt in British army in 1898. His army career ties up with his statement on enlistment in CEF in 1914
1882 Apr 15. Born Berlin , Germany
1899 Nov 25. 3rd Battalion, the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), Arthur Blair, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant. Mediterranean Medal. The Queen's Mediterranean Medal was authorised by King Edward VII and was awarded to volunteer and militia troops who had replaced their regular Army counterparts in the various military garrisons across the Mediterranean. This allowed regular troops to be available for the Second Boer War. The medal is almost identical to the Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 except the inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA' has been replaced by the word 'MEDITERRANEAN' on the reverse.
1900 May 9 3rd Battalion, the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), Second Lieutenant A. Blair resigns his Commission. He declared this service when he enlisted in 1903
1903 Jul 21. Enlisted in Royal Horse Guards
1904 May 17. Discharged from Horse Guards, a trooper, at own request on payment of £18. He has put "nil" for next of kin
1909 Apr 15. 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, The London Regiment; Arthur Blair to be Second Lieutenant. (To be supernumerary.)
1909 Jun 30 . 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, The London Regiment; the undermentioned officers are restored to the establishment:— Second Lieutenant Arthur Blair.
1911 Feb 1. 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, The London Regiment; Second Lieutenant Arthur Blair to be Lieutenant.
1911 census in London at 8 Wharfedale Street, South Kensington. An unemployed mining engineer.
1912 Feb 10. 5th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Lieutenant Arthur Blair, from 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, The London Regiment, to be Lieutenant.
1912 Jun 5. 5th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), Lieutenant Arthur Blair resigns his commission.
1914 Jul 18 Leaves UK for Canada. He is a miner intending to stay in Canada to work.
1914 Married in Calgary to Constance Hunter Gray
1914 Nov 17 Attested to Canadian Exp Force at Calgary, Canada. Next of Kin was his wife Constance Blair, 38th Av West, Calgary. He was a mining engineer
His ADRIC record says 1914.1915 Star
1916 May 26. Sanctuary Wood Article by Capt A Blair, late Alberta Regt
1919 Aug 5. Alberta Regt. The undermentioned officers retire in the British Isles : — Temp Capt. A. Blair.
1921 Jan 10. Joined ADRIC with service no 1457. Posted to K Coy
1921 Mar 13. Posted to O Coy
1921 Sep 10. Promoted Section Leader. There must be an undated reversion, as he is T/Cadet at demobilisation. I assume the promotion never happened
1922 Jan 17. Discharged at demobilisation of ADRIC
1939 Register. He is living with wife Constance at 26 Coleherne Road , Kensington, London, He is a Translator German French Dutch Stable And Correspondent (Formerly Mining Engineering)
1965 Nov 21. Died at Halifax, Yorks. There are only two plain Arthur Blair deaths in England, and one turned out to be an A A Blair, so this is the only other possible, it would need a Death Cert to try to prove it