Sherborne School Book of Remembrance

Hutton Rudby

Photo: Edward Nicholl All Saints Church

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

George Young Sadler, known by his mother's surname of Blair, was born on the 14th July 1894, at Stokesley, Yorkshire one of 6 children of whom only 4 survived. His parents were Percy Alexander Field Sadler of Langley Green, Worcestershire, son of Honorary Colonel Sir Samuel Alexander Sadler, a chemist by profession who studied under Michael Faraday, industrialist, Justice of the Peace, 3 times Mayor and first Conservative Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough and Rachel Sadler Field. After the death of his mother Percy and his brother Cecil were taken in by his maternal aunt Phoebe and her husband, chemical manufacturer, Frederic Lennard, who had a daughter and son of their own, living at Norman Villa, New Shoreham, Sussex.

Percy married in 1888 at Stokesley Mary Young Blair born 1868 at Stockton. Their first child Percy was born in 1889 but lived for less than 3 months, daughter Winifred in 1891 and Margaret in 1892. Percy succeeded his late father-in-law George Young Blair in 1894 as managing director of Messrs. Blair and Co. Limited marine engineers of Stockton. When George Young was born in 1895 he was named after his grandfather, the family was complete with the arrival of Katherine in 1897 and Marian Elspeth in 1899. Tragedy befell the family in August 1901 with the death of Margaret aged 9 years of age. Percy Alexander Field Sadler died in 1906. His widow, a lady of means, was living at Linden Grove a 16 room home at Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire in 1911 with a staff of 5 consisting of a cook, footman, and 3 housemaids. She supported her sister Florence Jane Blair, her three daughters aged 20, 13 and 12 and George (16) who was a student.

George was educated at the Sherborne School (Abbey House) from September 1908 to July 1913. He was a Prefect, Head of House, 1st XV rugby football team in 1911, 1912, 1913 (captain). He represented the School in Public School Boxing at Aldershot in 1912. George was a Corporal in the OTC.

He attended Pembroke College, Cambridge.

George Young Sadler-Blair enlisted in August 1914, and was commissioned a temporary 2nd Lieutenant from a Cadet in the O.T.C. on the 13th October 1914, and was assigned to the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant with 'B' Battery 63rd Brigade attached to the 12th Division part of Kitchener’s First New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'.
They concentrated in late August with the 35th Brigade near Shorncliffe before moving to Aldershot for final training as of February 20th 1915. They departed to France between May 29th and June 1st 1915 landing at Boulogne and concentrating near St. Omer and by June 6th had been moved to Meteren-Steenwerck area with HQ at Nieppe. They were given instruction by the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division before taking over the front line at Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium, June 23rd 1915.

George died on the 24th July 1915 having been shot through the head in Flanders and never regained consciousness. He died at Poste de Nelppe near Armentieres. 2nd Lieutenant George Young Sadler-Blair is interred at Pont-De Nieppe Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, grave 1. A. 13. He was 21 years old and single.

An officer's banking account was administered by the Military Bankers Cox & Co. of which his mother Mrs Mary Young Sadler-Blair was recipient of his will and effects. She also received his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at Linden Grove, Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire.

Mary Young Sadler nee Blair died aged 67 years, December 5th 1935 in Yorkshire. Mrs Blair donated £10 toward the Sherborne School War Memorial in memory of 2nd Lt. G.Y. Blair.

His uncle Gerard Gloag Sadler died of wounds in the trenches at Messines, November 1st 1914. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, he left a widow Phoebe Margaret.

His Major wrote: He was liked by everyone, and the whole Brigade deeply lament his death; he was always bright, always willing; he did his duty willingly and fearlessly. It was really that, I think, that brought his death.

George Young Blair left £451 4s 8d in his will to his mother Mary Young Blair in December 1915.

It should be noted George is incorrectly listed in the Register of Soldiers Effects as 2nd Lieut. J. Y. Blair.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

At Hutton Rudby there is a family headstone which reads;-

In
Affectionate Memory Of
Percy Alexander Field Blair
Born Sept 5th 1866 Died Dec 23rd 1906
Also His Little Daughter
Margaret
Aged 9 years died Aug.1901
Also His Infant Son

Darlington & Stockton Times 07/12/1935
Passing of Mrs Percy Blair – Friend and Benefactor of Hutton Rudby.
Mrs Blair died after a few months’ illness. 'Daughter of the late Mr G Y Blair, founder of the now defunct Stockton engineering firm which in its heyday was known all over the world, Mrs Blair came to live at Hutton Rudby with her father and two sisters when she was a girl.

She married early in life a son of Sir Samuel Sadler – Mr Percy Sadler, who afterwards assumed the name of Blair and took a leading part in the management of Blair’s Works. The young couple lived for a short time at Eaglescliffe, removing later to 'Lindon', a former home of Mr T E Pyman the West Hartlepool shipowner. Here a family of one son and five daughters was born.
Mrs Blair suffered many domestic bereavements. Her husband died 29 years ago and her only son, Lieut George Blair, fell in the Great War. One daughter died in infancy. Her second daughter, Margaret passed away about 30 years ago and another daughter, who married Dr Maurice Jones, died comparatively recently.

Mrs Blair was a liberal supporter of all local organisations. The organ in All Saints’ Church was given in memory of her half-brother, the late Mr Borrie Blair, and when a village hall was in contemplation at Hutton Rudby it was the Blair family which gave the site and besides subscribing handsomely, afterwards presented a billiard table.

Mrs Blair was a vice-president of the cricket club and a generous benefactor to Hutton Rudby Church. Mrs Blair is survived by two daughters, Miss Winifred Blair and Mrs Roche.'

Acknowledgements : Sherborne School Archives

George Young Sadler Blair is remembered at Malton on M49.01 and at Lanchester on L62.01

George is also remembered at Sherborne School, War Memorial Staircase, Book of Remembrance and the Abbey House Roll of Honour and in All Saints Church Hutton Rudby.

The Yorkshire Regiment
Sherborne School Rolls of Honour
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Blair