Keith Caldwell
| Keith Logan Caldwell | |
|---|---|
Group Captain Keith Caldwell c. 1944
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Grid |
| Born |
16 October 1895 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 28 November 1980 (aged 85) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand
|
| Service/branch |
New Zealand Army Royal Flying Corps Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 1930–1946 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit |
No. 8 Squadron (1916) No. 60 Squadron (1916–17) No. 74 Squadron (1918) |
| Commands held |
No. 74 Squadron (1918) RNZAF Base Woodbourne (1939–42) RNZAF Base Wigram (1942–44) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) Croix de guerre (Belgium) |
First World War
Air Commodore Keith Logan "Grid" Caldwell CBE, MC, DFC & Bar (16 October 1895 – 28 November 1980) was a New Zealand fighter ace of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I who also rose to the rank of Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II.
Born in Wellington, the son of David Robert Caldwell and his wife Mary Dunlop née McKerrow, Caldwell moved with his family to Auckland as a child, where his father started a manufacturing and importing company. He was educated at King's College, Auckland and Wanganui Collegiate School. A tall slim man, noted for his grey eyes, Caldwell was also sporting minded, enjoying success at golf and tennis. After leaving school, on the eve of war, he worked as a bank clerk.
On the outbreak of war in 1914 Caldwell joined the territorial army, but when he attempted to enlist in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force destined for Gallipoli he was declined. He paid £100 to join the first class at the New Zealand Flying School in October 1915, where he learned to fly on the Walsh Brothers Flying Boats. He referred to aircraft as "grids", or bicycles, a habit which earned him his nickname. A quick learner, he passed his flight tests in December 1915.
Caldwell sailed for England in January 1916, being commissioned by the RFC in April. On 29 July 1916 he was posted to No. 8 Squadron RFC flying BE2Cs and Ds on observation duty. On 18 September 1916, flying a BE2D, he and his observer shot down a Roland CII.
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