Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
Date Information
30/12/2015 John Caldwell emigrated to New Zealand.
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 The 1901 census lists a John Caldwell as age 30 living with family at house 33 in Grange, Desertmartin, Londonderry. His mother, Mary Anne, was a widow and they were a farming family.
30/12/2015 The CWGC record Private John Caldwell as the son of John and Mary Anne Caldwell.
30/12/2015 Prior to enlisting, John worked as a driver for Auckland City Council.
30/12/2015 John Caldwell enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 8th March 1916 at Trentham Military Camp, near Wellington. He gave his age as 38. He named his sister as his next of kin – Mrs Park, Grange, County Londonderry.
30/12/2015 Private John Caldwell left New Zealand on 14th October 1916.
30/12/2015 Private John Caldwell was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Auckland Regiment when he died on 4th October 1917 of wounds received that day. He died a week before his 39th birthday.
30/12/2015 Private John Caldwell is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. A forum discussion suggests he was originally buried in a combined grave.
30/12/2015 His next of kin was identified later as his sister, Anne Parke of Grange, Desertmartin, Londonderry.
30/12/2015 Interestingly his plaque and scroll were sent to Mrs S Jenkins, 127 Grey Street, Auckland, who is described as a friend.
30/12/2015 John Caldwell was the son of John and Mary Caldwell. It is believed John Caldwell was born on 11th October 1879 in Desertmartin, County Londonderry.
Read more