[2] He was 29 years old, and a captain in the 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On the night of the 12th of August, 1857, at Neemuch, in volunteering to apprehend 7 or 8 armed mutineers who had shut themselves up for defence in a house, the door of which he burst open.

In this wounded condition, and with no other weapon than the hilt of his broken sword, he put himself at the head of his men, charged the rebels most effectually, and dispersed them.

[3]Blair served until the end of the Indian Mutiny, mainly in Central India, including the pursuit of Tatya Tope.

[2] Continuing to serve in the Indian Army, Blair acted as Political Resident at Aden between 1882 and 1885 with the rank of brigadier-general.