Anthony Caldwell Lieutenant Royal Flying Corp
Kelly SlaterAnthony Caldwell was a Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corp. The statue you see on top of the memorial hall was donated by his parents from Bribbarree in Central NSW.
Anthony was the son of Steele Caldwell Jnr and grandson of pioneer Steel Caldwell. In 1915, Anthony lived near the hamlet of Bribbarree and had a love for planes. He paid his own passage over to London to join the RFC as Australia did not have an air wing at this stage. Graduating top of his class in mechanics, he was fast-tracked to become a pilot.
During a training flight in which he was a co-pilot, the plane stalled. The young pilot in front of Anthony went against training and, instead of heading straight, turned the plane in a tight circle. The engines could not re-start and the plane plummeted to the ground killing both men.
Anthony was buried with full military honours in Doncaster Cemetery and he is lovingly remembered by the friends of Hyde Park Cemetery, featuring in their tours.
The statue is said to be in his image and the model was his cousin, Kevin Powderly MM.
Anthony's father remarried and two of his sons, Andrew and Acton, also lost their lives in the Great War, in Bapaume and Ypres respectively.
Photo courtesy of Erabba Caldwell albums. Information from Cathy Sedgwick and self.
