Alexander Caldwell was born in Gateshead, co. Durham, in 1889, and attested there for the Durham Light Infantry.
He served with the 1st/9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 April 1915, and for his gallantry on the Somme in 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) published in the London Gazette 9 December 1916.
The following year he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) for his gallantry at Wancourt Tower on 13 April 1917, published in the London Gazette 18 July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great courage and skill. He went forward and captured an enemy machine-gun and eleven prisoners. His prompt action removed a very serious obstacle’. Original citation additionally annotated ‘Wancourt Tower, 13 April 1917.’
The Battalion War Diary records that casualties ‘due to machine gun fire and heavy shelling’ were 1 Officer and 13 other ranks killed and 3 Officers and 39 other ranks wounded - presumably but for Caldwell’s gallantry in capturing an enemy machine gun the Battalion’s casualties would have been much higher.
Caldwell died of accidental injuries on 14 June 1917 and is buried in the Avesnes-le-Comte Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
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