Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas William Cave was born at High Grange, a village between Crook and Bishop Auckland, County Durham. One of 10 children of whom only 9 survived he was the eldest of 4 sons and had 1 elder and 4 younger sisters. His father John Thomas Cave originated from Holbeach, Lincolnshire, in 1871 aged 19 years was employed as a labourer and having migrated to the north east was married in 1880 to Jane Woodruff in the district of Bishop Auckland. Jane was born in 1884 at Witton-le Wear, County Durham and had 2 children of her own, James Wise Woodruff (4) and Ellen Woodruff (2). In 1881 they were living at Witton-le-Wear supported by John Thomas employed as a general labourer, in the house next door to Jane’s widowed mother Elizabeth and her sister Elizabeth (17). Their daughter Hannah was born at Hunwick in 1883, followed by Thomas William and Elizabeth at High Grange in 1885 and 1887 respectively and Frederick at Hunwick in 1889.
By 1891 they were living in the civil parish of Newton Cap at 40 High Grange, John Thomas was now working as a coal miner and had been joined by 14-year-old James as a driver. Both James and Ellen Woodruff are listed under the surname Cave as his son and daughter. Ellen (12) and Hannah (8), Thomas William (6), Elizabeth (4) were scholars, new born Frederick (1) at home with his mother.
Over the next 10 years Jane gave birth to a further 5 children, Jane Ann 1892, Robert 1894, Rebecca 1895, Eveline 1897 and Albert 1898. By 1901 Thomas William’s elder siblings had left the family home. Now 16 years of age both he and his father were employed as coal miner/putters below ground.
Thomas William Cave was married in the district of Bishop Auckland in 1908 to Elizabeth Jane Marriott of Tow Law, County Durham, born January 27th 1882. Their daughter Hilda was born at Sunniside in 1909, the census of 1911 lists them as living at Front Street, Richardson’s Row, Sunniside, Thomas William employed as a coal miner.
After the declaration of war in August 1914 Thomas William enlisted at Crook and was assigned as Private 18254 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. The battalion was formed as a “second line” training, draft-supplying reserve. The main body of the battalion landed at Zeebrugge, October 6th 1914, however, Private Cave departed December 10th 1915 for France, joining his regiment in the field which December 20th was transferred with the 21st Brigade to the 30th Division as part of the Fifth New Army. In spring 1916 preparations were already underway for the Battles of the Somme due to commence June 29th 1916 but delayed until July 1st due to the inclement weather. The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment participated at the Battle of Albert July 1st-13th 1916, where the Division captured Montbauban and fought in Trones Wood, Mametz Wood and Contalmaison until July 14th.
Private 18254 Thomas William Cave Yorkshire Regiment initially reported as missing is deemed to have been killed in action July 8th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,336 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and have no known grave. He was 31 years of age.
His widow Elizabeth Jane received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their daughter and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at their home address of 7, Richardson’s Row Sunniside, Tow Law, County Durham.
Elizabeth Jane Cave nee Marriott did nor re-marry, in 1939 she was living alone at 91, Front Street Sunniside and died in 1950 aged 68 years, registered Durham W.
Their daughter Hilda married in 1926 to John George Thirkell, born at Gateshead, County Durham, October 12th 1905 who died in 1984 and with whom she had 3 known children, all of whom went on to marry generating today’s living relatives of Private Cave.
Thomas Thirkell born March 16th 1927 married Patricia A Nellist in 1959 and died in 1989. Marjorie Thirkell born 1929 married Cecil Greathead and died in 2004. George Thirkell born January 3rd 1931 married Noreen Stoker in 1957, he died in 1977.
Hilda Thirkell-Cave died aged 58 years in 1968 registered in the district of Durham W.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas William Cave is remembered at Quebec on Q2.06
