RETIRING FROM SERVICE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 190, 28 August 1937, Page 7

RETIRING FROM SERVICE

•Press Association.).

Wing Commander Caldwell NOTED WAR PILOT.

(By Telegraph—

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Tetirement "of- Wing Commander K. L. -Caldwell, M.O.,* D.F.C., of the New Zealand Air Force, was announced to'-day by the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones. Wing Commander Caldwell will be succeeded by Squadron-'Leadei* E. A. Gibson. -* The Minister paid a tribute to Wing Commandex* Caldwell' s record during the wai*. Wing Commander CaldweS is now retiring at his own request from tlie Ncw Zealand Air Force and will sliortly be posted to' the retired list, said Mr Jones. His magnifieent war ' record and -personal qualities, which enabled liim to organise and lead one of tlie most famous fighting squadrons on the Western Front plaee him among tlie great war-time leaders in aerial combat. His retirement is a heavy loss to the service, but although he will no longer take an active part in the Territorial air force, his presence in New Zealand will remaiu a fine example to all those who are now undergoing training, and who may one day be faced with the diffieulties which he so successfully overcame. Wing Commander Caldwell lives at Glen Murray, in the Waikato. He .was born in Wellington in 1895 and educated at Wanganui College. Joining the Royal Flying Corps in April, 1916, he served with distinction with No 60, and ro'se to command No 74 Squadron. For hiis services during the war he was awarded the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar aud the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He was bwice mentioned in dispatches.