Blades was the son of Sarah Pow of Armadale and Rev.
He was educated at Berwickshire High School and the University of Edinburgh graduating with an MA and LLB.
[1] He was admitted as an advocate in 1915, and served as a 2nd Lieutenant[2] in the Cameron Highlanders from 1915–1918.
He was an Advocate Depute from 1929–1932, when he was appointed a King's Counsel[3] and Sheriff of Forfar.
[6] In 1947 he was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice,[7] with the judicial title Lord Blades.