George was born in 1882 to Thomas and Agnes Blair (M.S. Arthur), living in Penicuik. In 1909, George married Julia Sinclair and the 1911 census shows that they were living in a house at the Co-op buildings in Corstorphine, where George worked as a butcher. The valuation rolls for 1915 records that George and Julia had returned to Penicuik, where they had a house and shop at 28 High Street.

He would have enlisted at some point during 1916 and he survived the war, returning home to his family at Cochrina Cottage, Rosewell, following demobilisation during 1919.

He did, however, die on the 23 December 1919 from acute endocarditis, age 37. Private George Arthur Blair is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Penicuik Cemetery, Midlothian. He is also commemorated on the memorial plaque in Rosewell Memorial Church Hall, Midlothian.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorates soldiers from the first world war who died between 4 August 1914 and 31 August 1921 [of conditions caused or aggravated by war service], which is why George is remembered with honour in a war grave in Penicuik, Midlothian.. 

His widow, Julia, continued to live in Rosewell, managing her butcher’s shop in the village.