Gavin Caldwell was the son of the Rev William Henry McKennal Caldwell and Elsie Caldwell, of Fetcham Rectory, Leatherhead, Surrey. His grandfather Gavin Ralston Caldwell (born about 1829) married Frances Jane Wolsely and they brought up six children in Australia. They returned to England aboard the Suffolk in June 1867. By the 1871 Census Frances was widowed. Her son William married Jessie Elizabeth Oxley in the early 1890s and a son Gavin was born at Thanet, Kent in 1897. There seems to be some variability in his mother's name.
London Gazette 20 October 1914
To be Second Lieutenant:
Cadet Gavin Ralston Mure Caldwell from the Clifton College Contingent,
Junior Division, Officers' Training Corps.
There is a photo of Gavin with his father and a Great Uncle, General Wolsely - not to be confused with Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley KP GCB OM GCMG VD PC (4 June 1833–25 March 1913).
The 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards Intelligence Summary for 8-9 October 1918 (TNA WO/95/1215) reads:
8th Trenches near RIBECOURT. The Battalion paraded at 10.00 a.m. and proceeded to trenches running North-West of MON PLAISIR FARM, near MASBIERES
9th Trenches near MASBIERES. The Battalion paraded at 1.00 a.m. and marched to trenches West of SERANVILLIERS. The Batallion attacked at 4.30 a.m. and finally consolidated near CASTENIERES
Casualties:- Lieut G.R.M. CALDWELL - KILLED
3 O.R's Killed, 4 O.R's Wounded and 2 O.R's Wounded (Remained at duty)
From APPENDIX 'A' of the same Summary:
At Zero hour (4.30 a.m.) on the 9th October, the artillery barrage fell on the GREEN LINE, which ran roughly S.E. through LA TARGETTE, and Nos. 2 & 3 Companies immediately left the trench and closed up to the barrage, No 4 Company following 400 yards behind, and No 1 Company following still farther back in reserve. SERANVILLIERS and LA TARGETTE were found to be clear of the enemy, but they seemed to be strongly posted in WAMBAIX. The first objective of the Battalion was the BLUE LINE running due East of WAMBAIXfrom H.10.d.6.3 to H.10.d.6.0. This line was soon occupied, No 2 Company capturing 2 Machine-guns in WAMBAIX. The barrage then lifted and the advance continued East-North-East over the railway through H.18.a & b. The Southern half of CATTENIERES was mopped up and an effort was made to take the GREEN LINE which ran from I.7.d.2.9 to I.13.b.5.6. The Germans, however, were very strongly posted in prepared positions East of BEAUVOIS, and also along the main road running from CAMBRAI to LE CATEAU. While Nos.2 & 3 Companies were trying to consolidate this line they suffered several casualties and Lieut G.R.M. CALDWELL was wounded and died from his wounds on reaching the Dressing Station.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 19 May 1919
Royal Army Chaplains Department
The Rev W H McK. Caldwell relinqishes his commission as temp Chaplain to
the Forces 4th Jan. 1919.
Minutes from the Fetcham Church Records:
W H McK. Caldwell was Rector at Fetcham and officiated at Burials, the
first being 13 November 1916 and the last being 2 April 1925. Rev Whistler
took over in 1925.
Rev William Caldwell died in Norwich in 1926 aged 60.
http://www.bosleys.net/b68/medals.html Rev WHM Caldwell's Victory medal came up at auction (among Lot 506) on 12 December 2007
In memory of Lieut GRM Caldwell, from his Mother
Gavin Caldwell's mother Elsie had a pair of candlesticks made in his memory. Lyn Rozier writes in the Fetcham U3A Newsletter:
"A lady, who did not live locally, had come across these candlesticks when clearing out a family home. Her brother had long been interested in militaria and had purchased them some 40 years ago. They were inscribed in memory of a Lt Gavin RM Caldwell, of the Coldstream Guards. The family carried out some research and realised that he was the son of Rev Caldwell, a former Rector of St Mary's Church, and remembered on our War Memorial. She decided she would like to give them to the Church on the understanding that they could be used at Remembrance Day services. She travelled down from Hertfordshire with her husband for Remembrance Day to see the candlesticks used. After the service the Vicar introduced the couple to us and from our original research we were able to provide both them and the Vicar with details of Caldwell's war record and we are presently researching where his father Rev Caldwell went after leaving the Parish."
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 The Caldwell candlesticks and the inscription on each: for obvious reasons they are not kept in the church. |
text based on Cross of Remembrance, p9-18: if you can add to
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page added 6 Mar 2009: updated 10 Apr 2010