Research on Major Robert Mills Blair (Bullseye Blair)

[boltman]

Major Blair is current topic of interest for me. Many of you know he is significant to Ross rifle military history and he is mentioned in the Ross Rifle Story. I am looking for additional information on him. I do have his military/personnel file. Of great interest here is the Ross related aspect of his deployment to England:

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I am unclear on the other details of his wartime service. All I know so far as he was not able to be part of, "continuous service" with his unit (the 72nd Battalion) for technical employment (Ross rifle related). However, he must have seen some combat as his medical file indicates he was diagnosed with neurasthenia (equivalent to shell-shock or PTSD I assume) and declared unfit for duty for a period of time:





Here is a fantastic write-up on Major Blair. It covers his early years, which are of great interest - particularly related to his marksmanship activity and finally, his markmanship feat (e.g. winning the King's Cup and the Aggregate in the same year - with a nail-biting tie breaker). I just read this yesterday and it has been years since I read something so enjoyable. I find it unfortunate that no mention is made that he won these competitions with a Ross rifle.

Marksmanship Plus! | Maclean's | October 1, 1929

Here is an article on the house he built after the war. There is some of his history in this article as well:

When An Old House Whispers...: A WEST END STORY: 1550 Harwood - The Robert Mills Blair House

More brief history:

LTC Robert Mills “Bulls-Eye Blair” Blair (1875-1967) - Find A Grave Memorial

So, what else is out there about this remarkable Canadian?

Information

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[Surpmil]

Marksmanship Plus! | Maclean's | October 1, 1929

That's a very interesting article, and the one about Bishop Michael Fallon on the opposing page is just as interesting. A very prescient thinker about both Germany and Japan.

[boltman]

A knowledgeable fellow Ross collector has pointed out to me that Major Blair could not have used a Ross rifle during post-WWI competition. They were not allowed. He would have used an SMLE.