Obituaries Australia

John Mair, n.d.

from Australian Town and Country Journal, 29 June 1901, p 26

General regret was expressed in military circles on receipt of the news of the death of Lieutenant John Mair (son of Mr George Mair, of Mount Adelaide, Darling Point), who was formerly first lieutenant in No 3 Company, New South Wales Garrison, and was highly respected as a promising young officer. He received his appointment on June 13, 1895, resigned in September 1899, and proceeded to South Africa. Upon arrival there he obtained a commission in the Rhodesian Light Horse. On going to join his regiment he was detained at Kimberely, enlisted with the Cape Mounted Police, and remained there till the town was relieved on February 15, 1890 [sic]. He took part in the sortie in which Captain Scott-Turner was killed. Subsequently he was attached as A.D.C. to Colonel De Lisle, and latterly served with the 6th Regiment M.I. (Imperial). Recently he succeeded Captain Watson (who lately returned home) as galloper to Colonel De Lisle. An official message states that the engagement in which Lieutenant Mair was killed took place at Can Cans, near Reitz, on June 6.

The following extract is from a letter sent to the Rev. D. Davies, of the Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney, by a friend of the school, re J. Mair, whose death is announced by cable. It is from a letter written by the Rev. R. Griffiths, lately private chaplain to the Archbishop. It is dated Bloemfontein, April 12: — ‘I lately came across a former Church of England Grammar School boy — J. Mair. He is now A.D.C. and Provost-Marshal to De Lisle, and is doing really splendid service. I liked his modest and sincere manner, and was struck by his keenness and ability, as far as I should judge, to his work. The credit of Sydney and of the Church of England Grammar School is safe in his hands.’ Mr Griffiths, in reference to his own work adds, ‘I like my work here very much indeed. At present it consists in ministering to the hospital and holding endless services for outposts and guards for miles around, and it is a joy to see Christian services so welcomed’.