BLAIR, Keith Wyatt (1895-1963)
Modified on Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:16 by Con — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - Students, Geelong College, Biography of War - World War I
BLAIR, Wyatt Keith (1895-1963)
Born in 1895, the son of David Blair and Isabel Crowe nee Sharp. He was educated at Melbourne Grammar School from 1905 to 1910 before enrolling as a boarder in February 1911, age 14 years and 11 months in Form VA. His enrolment record discloses that an additional fee was paid for rowing and that he should receive pocket money of 1 shilling and sixpence. He left in December 1911. After attending Geelong College, he returned to Melbourne studying at Scotch College in 1912 and 1913.
During World War I, he enlisted (No 2981) in the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) as a 2nd Class Air Mechanic, 17th Reinforcements and Special Drafts on 17 November 1917. His World War I attestation record listed him as a member of Cadets in Melbourne for 4 years and C Force 29th Light Horse Melb for 3 years before the war.
He embarked to England on 28 February 1918 on
HMAT A71 Nestor
for further technical training. On his application for a commission with the Royal Air Force in 1918 his interests were listed as football, athletics, rowing, horse riding and motor cycling. He was appointed temporary 2nd Lieutenant on probation on 1 April 1919.
He returned to Australia, embarking on 3 May 1919, his appointment being terminated on 14 July 1919.
He died in 1963.
His brother, John David Blair (1891-1932) was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck p141(citing Pegasus; National Archives);NAA B2455 Blair W K).