STAIRS, HENRY BERTRAM, Captain, was
born 29 April 1871, son of John Stairs, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He became
a Barrister, Supreme Court, Nova Scotia, in 1893, and a
KC in 1910. He served in the
South African War, 1899-1900, and was present at operations in the Orange
Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg, 18 to
26 February; actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain)
and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900,; including
actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria; operations in Orange j River Colony,
June 1900; operations in Orange River Colony and Transvaal, east and west of
Pretoria, July to October 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; was given the Brevet of Major;
received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Henry
Bertram Stairs, Captain, Canadian Contingent. In recognition of services
during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia of the DSO were
presented to him by the Governor at Halifax, 10 May 1902. Major Stairs had
the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal. He married, in 1903,
Judith, daughter of George Henderson.
