BLAIR, David Arthur
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Rank:
Captain (later Major)
Unit / Base:
11 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Seaforth Highlanders
Service:
Army
Service Number:
73177
Honours & Awards:
Captain David Blair was the O.C. No. 11 Commando 6 troop. Appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) 7th April 1944 [1].
Recommendation
Captured at El Adem on 26 June 42. Imprisoned Campo 21 (Italy). After the Armistice the S.B.O.(Senior British Officer) refused to allow P/W (Prisoners of War) to escape, and the Camp was taken over by the Germans who removed the P/W to Germany. Capt. Blair had been working on a tunnelling scheme, of which there were several in the Camp, and hid with five others in the tunnel for 36 hours. They came out after the Germans had left, made their way South, and arrived in British hands on 13 Oct 43 [2].
- 4 November 1944 awarded Military Cross [3] whilst commanding 'B' Coy, 5th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe [4].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36486, page 1925.
[2] National Archives file WO373/94/304.
[3] London Gazette 37015, page 1809..
[4] National Archives file WO373/53/263.
[Image] © NMS/2012 courtesy of National Museum Scotland.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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