Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alexander Thomas Smith Blair SX6545
Alex was the eldest of two sons born to Thomas and Mary Blair; his younger brother was Archibald James Samuel (Archie). Alex was born in Port Adelaide on the 16th October, 1906 and was just 9 when his London born father, Thomas Smith Blair enlisted in February of 1916 to serve in WWI. Child rearing of their two energetic children therefore fell entirely to Mary. Thomas was unfortunate to have been injured by a shell blast which caused severe sciatica and neuritis, a disease which causing inflammation of the nerves in his neck and back. This resulted in Thomas having extended time in the Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, England before being discharged in February, 1919. By November of that year, the family were able to receive a small fortnightly pension which certainly helped.
Alex attended the local schools at Port Central, then Paracombe before post-school working as an orchardist, which also gave him experience as a motor driver. He was a useful sportsman, playing football for Houghton and enjoyed hunting, a practical skill for many who worked on the land.
May Elizabeth Foley of Queenstown, worked as a member of the Parliamentary staff in Adelaide. When she and Alex announced their engagement, as was usual (and expected) May resigned from her work at Parliament House in January 1938. For her farewell she was generously presented with an envelope of notes by the then Premier Mr. Butler on behalf of members of the Assembly and a similar presentation was made by the Legislative Council at the close of their session. May was also given two farewell parties, including a tea where singing and dancing celebrated the occasion, and then her bridesmaid, Kathleen Northeast arranged a pantry evening, for 100 guests.
On Saturday the 26th of February, 1938 at 6.30 p.m. May and Alex married at Sacred Heart Presbytery at Semaphore. With her father pre-deceased, May’s brother acted in the traditional role of walking her down the aisle. Alex chose his brother Archie as his best man. They entertained their guests at a reception at the Federal Hotel, Semaphore. Later they had a daughter, Margaret.
When WWII broke out, Alex enlisted on the 23rd June 1940 as an older man close to his 39th birthday, (although he claimed to be 33 9/12 years) to become SX6545 and a motor fitter with the 2/43rd Battalion. His early training was done at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills where Alex attended Transport School before eventually being shipped to Tobruk. Almost inevitably, the poor conditions in Tobruk area contributed to him suffering gastroenteritis. While overseas, Alex received the news that May’s step father-in-law, James Elfensein died in January of 1942, again leaving May’s mother a widow. On return to Queensland in 1944 he extended his skills to comfortably become qualified in Waterproofing Instruction Course for wheeled Vehicles; during the course being officially described as a “good, keen, thorough student”. By the end of that year, he was promoted to Corporal before he transferred to North Borneo. He was finally discharged on 21st November 1945.
Alex was not to have a long life as aged 52 he died on the 4th February 1952 and is buried in the Cheltenham cemetery. His wife, May Elizabeth lived into her 70’s dying in 1976 and is interred with Alex. His parents Thomas and Mary are also interred at Cheltenham.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.