We Remember

Robert Vair

Robert Vair
Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
109653
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Prisoner of war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Wesley United Church
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Norfolk
Birth city: 
Tilney St. Lawrence
Address at enlistment: 
37 Superior Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
37 Superior Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Polisher
Employer: 
J.R. Fenell and Son
Religious denominations: 
Presbyterian
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
35
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

BX June 30, 1916

That Company Sergeant Major Robert Vair, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, who was recently reported missing, is now unofficially reported prisoner of war, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Agnes Vair, 116 Eagle Avenue, yesterday.

C.S.M. Robert Vair is one of the men in Brantford whose family made a big sacrifice when his country called him. He left behind a wife and six children, the oldest, James, now being in the 215th Battalion. His brother, Pte. William Vair, is also with the 215th.

He worked with the Cockshutt Plow Co. for five years prior to enlisting, going overseas with the draft from the 25th Brant Dragoons in charge of Lieutenant Harvey Watt Cockshutt. His wife had a letter from him two weeks ago, when he stated that he wouldn’t leave Lieutenant Cockshutt. It is now thought that he was taken a prisoner along with Lieut. Cockshutt.

Sergeant Robert Vair was a veteran of the South African campaign. He left here as sergeant, having been with the Brant Dragoons for about three years.  In a letter from him two weeks ago he stated that he had been made Company Sergeant-Major and that his commander, Lieut. Cockshutt, had been promoted to a captaincy.

BX July 4, 1916

Company Sergeant Major Robert Vair Is A Prisoner

Word has been received by his wife that Co.-Sergt.-Major Robert Vair, of the 4th C.M.R. is a prisoner of war in Dulmen, Westphalia. His location in the camp is Block 3, Barrack 10 A. Vair was recently reported missing. Since yesterday three Brantford men in the 4th C.M.R. have been officially reported prisoners of war in Dulmen Camp, Germany.

BX November 29, 1918

Local Men are Repatriated – Have Been Prisoners of Huns Since Zillebeke, Two Years Ago

Official announcement of a joyous kind to their relatives and friends has been received concerning two Brantford men.  The repatriation of Sergeant Robert Vair and Pte. Oscar Neville Taylor of this city, has been officially announced, both Brantford men having arrived within Allied territory after their recent released from the war prisoners’ camps in Germany.  Both men belonged to the 4th Mounted Rifles, and were reported missing at the end of June, 1916.  They went through that stiff engagement June 2-3 at Zillebeke, when the Huns poured through after the most intense bombardment witnessed in the war up to that time.  They were afterward reported prisoners.

Sergeant Vair, when he enlisted, resided at 37 Brighton Place and Pte. Taylor at 27 Market Street.  They have both been in German clutches for over two years, and their relatives are anxiously awaiting further word as to their condition.  The battle of Zillebeke was where Captain John Ernest Lattimer of Burford, was made a prisoner, also where Lieutenant Harvey Watt Cockshutt and General Mercer met their deaths.  There were many Brantford men engaged in that affair.

BX December 7, 1914

Spent Sunday in Brantford – Troop Sergeant Robert Vair Says Brantford Boys in Toronto Camp Are Well and Contented

Troop Sergeant Robert Vair, of the Second Contingent of the Twenty-Fifth Brant Dragoons, whose numbers have been joined with the Governor General Bodyguard, the Mississauga Horse and the Second Dragoons, to form the Ontario Mounted Rifles at the Exhibition Camp, Toronto, spent the weekend at this home in this city. Sergeant Vair, looking perfectly fit and prosperous in his military greatcoat, stated that the boys at Toronto were all well, and thoroughly contented. The volunteers were inoculated last week and some of them felt effects in a most unpleasant way for a brief period. None of them however was seriously incapacitated.

In connection with the departure of the soldiers from Toronto, Sergeant Vair stated that in camp, rumor had it that they would in all probability be moved to Egypt or Bermuda. Fifteen empty coaches, heated and ready for immediate use are lying on a siding at the Exhibition Grounds, and the belief is current that the artillery divisions will proceed very shortly to Halifax or some other point for further training.

Over 150 horses have already arrived in camp for the 600 Ontario Mounted Rifles, the rest being expected to reach the grounds any day. Two complete outfits have been allotted to the cavalrymen and dismounted drill, which is being indulged in, is rapidly getting the men into fine physical condition.

BX June 6, 1949

Robert Alexander Vair

The death of Robert Alexander Vair, 14 Mintern Avenue, a highly respected resident of Brantford for the past 39 years, occurred Saturday at the Brantford General Hospital.  Mr. Vair was born 70 years ago at Tilney St. Lawrence, Norfolk County, England, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vair.  He was employed as a foreman at the Cockshutt Plow Co. for 33 years, and later was superintendent of the agricultural department.  Mr. Vair was a member of Zion United Church, and of Court Brant, C.O.F.  In the First World War he spent four years overseas with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Toronto, and was a prisoner of war for three years.

Surviving are his widow, formerly Miss Agnes McDonald, two sons, James Vair, Woodstock, Robert Vair Jr., city; four daughters, Mrs. George (Margaret) Madgwick, Mrs. Donald MacDonald (Nessie), Mrs. Harold (Ethel) McCreary, all of Brantford; Mrs. William (Helen) Borthwick, Kingston; two brothers, John P. Vair, Tillsonburg, and Andrew Vair, Calgary; a sister, Mrs. Cyril Bailey, Byfleet, Surrey, England and nine grandchildren.  Mr. Vair is resting at the McCleister Funeral Home, where service will be held Tuesday afternoon.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX June 8, 1949

Robert Alexander Vair

Funeral service for Robert A. Vair was held in the McCleister Funeral Home, Tuesday afternoon.  Among those present were representatives from the Cockshutt Plow Company, where the deceased was employed for 35 years and from his lodge, Court Brant No. 85 C.O.F., here.  The service was conducted by Revs. Dr. Harold W. Vaughan and Dr. Charles Collins of Zion United Church.  Dr. Collins preached the funeral service and brought a message of comfort to the bereaved family.  The pallbearers were Joseph Bond, Charles Waghorne, Percy Harris, Sydney Spencer, Frank Corliss and James Dunn.  Relatives were in attendance from London, Kingston, Tillsonburg and other places.  Interment took place in Farringdon Burial Ground.

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