GEORGE CAVE 

George Cave was born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1898, the son of Joseph and Susan Cave. Both of his parents had been born in Liverpool; his father in 1857, and his mother in 1861. They married in 1889, and went on to have 7 children, but 1 died. By 1911, Joseph and Susan Cave were living at 38, Mulberry Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, with their 6 surviving children: Elizabeth Cave (born in 1891); John Cave (born in 1893); Sarah Cave (born in 1896); George Cave (born in 1898); Ellen Cave (born in 1901); and Annie Cave (born in 1904). Also living with them was Susan’s sister; Elizabeth Newton (born in Liverpool, in 1863), who was an Assistant Restaurant Manageress. Joseph Cave was a Furniture Upholsterer; Elizabeth Cave was a Restaurant Waitress; John Cave was employed as a Printer’s Apprentice Compositor; Sarah Cave was a Tin Box Maker at Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight; and George and Ellen Cave were still at school.

 

In April 1915, George Cave enlisted into the 4th Bn Cheshire Regiment (No.3536) but was later transferred to the 2nd/5th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (No.20289). After joining this battalion, Private Cave was later transferred to the 2nd/6th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (No.203173). It is possible that Private Cave went to France with the first of these battalion’s, on 21st May 1916, and continued to serve with it until this battalion was disbanded on 20th February 1918. Personnel from the disbanded 2nd/5th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment, were either posted to the 24th Entrenching Battalion, or the 2nd/6th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Private Cave continued to serve with this battalion until 6th April 1918, when he was killed in action or died of wounds, near to the village of Harbonnieres. Originally, he had been buried with 9 other British soldier’s in Harbonnieres German Cemetery, but these graves were subsequently lost through shellfire. Private Cave is now commemorated, with 20 other soldier’s, who had been buried in cemeteries that had been destroyed by shellfire (Morcourt Communal Cemetery Extension; Proyart Communal Cemetery Extension; Harbonnieres German Cemetery; Bayonvillers British Cemetery; and Rosieres Hospital Cemetery) on special memorial stone’s in Harbonnieres Cemetery, France.

 

Private Cave’s medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.   



Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.