Alexander McNeel Caird is my great grandad from my dad's side. I never met him because he died before I was alive. He was based in Wanganui and was born on 30th July 1922.

Alexander Caird was born at Feilding and he was only 2lbs. He spent 2 months wrapped in cotton wool because there were no incubators back then. He grew up playing rugby and going to church and he loved travelling as he went to Australia, Europe, Scotland and Italy as his hobbies. At 14 years old he left school and joined the army

When he was only 19, he was picked to go to the War. It was World War 2 and he was there for 4 years. He was a good guy in war, he would entertain the down soldiers to help them feel better. When he got back from the war he took over his dad's farm and became a farmer and a shera he became a well known local Rangiwahia for farming and helping anyone who needed help. He got married and had 5 kids called Bruce who is my Grandad, Ross, Jean, Anne, Donald and Peter who is adopted.

In 1975 he stood for Parliament in the Waikato electorate, he was on the Whanganui council, then the Waikato county council, he was a great person and a chairman of numerous organisations including rugby club,school committee, and things in church. Over his time in the war and visiting lots of different countries he learnt how to speak Italian and Swiss.

He died on the 22nd of December 1989 and he died from a heart attack and I will remember him for being proud and fighting for New Zealand. I didn't meet him but everyone has said he is kind, helpful man.