Personal info
- Name: Thomas CALDWELL
- D.O.B: 6th Feb, 1894
- D.O.A: 31st Oct, 1918
- D.O.D: 7th Jun, 1969
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, 12th Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers (Lothian Regiment), 94th Brigade, 31st Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
South-west of Audenarde, Belgium 31 October 1918
The First World War 1918
In Flanders, after the Battle of Courtrai (see 14 October 1918), Second Army had advanced across much of the ground between the Lys and the Scheldt (see 25 October 1918). At the end of the month three days were spent in preparing for a new attack in cooperation with the French. This was launched on 31 October 1918 and Anzengem and Tiegem, south-west of Audenarde (Oudenaarde), were captured. 31st Division attacked further south near Avelgem, which brought it almost to the Scheldt.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack near Audenarde on the 31st October, 1918, when in command of a Lewis gun section engaged in clearing a farmhouse. When his section came under intense fire at close range from another farm, Sjt. Caldwell rushed towards the farm, and, in spite of very heavy fire, reached the enemy position, which he captured single-handed, together with 18 prisoners. This gallant and determined exploit removed a serious obstacle from the line of advance, saved many casualties, and led to the capture by his section of about 70 prisoners, eight machine guns and one trench mortar