Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Cave a hosiery worker, born 1864 in Leicester and his wife Sarah Ann Cave (nee Cooper, married in the 4th quarter of 1883 in the Leicester district) born 1862 in Glenfield, Leicestershire. Charles Ottway was born in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in Leicester, his siblings were, Amy Lavinia, born 1887 and Nellie Gertrude, born 1890, both his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 9, Cardigan Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Charles was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at 97, Knighton Fields Road West, Leicester, together with his father, hosiery trade worker, his mother and siblings, Amy, a hosiery trade worker, Nellie, a shoe trade worker, Beatrice Grace, born 1892, Eveline Blanche, born 1895, Hilda Mabel, born 1898 and Lilian May, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Leicester. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a tramway motor man and was residing in the family home at 14, Aylestone Street, Leicester, together with his father, a hosiery trade loom worker, his mother and siblings, Amy, a hosiery trade machinist, Nellie, a hosiery trade winder, Beatrice, a hosiery trade over-locker, Eveline, a boot trade worker, Hilda, a schoolgirl, Lilian, a schoolgirl, Edward Leonard, a schoolboy, born 1903 and Albert Ernest, born 1905, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester. Charles served for nine years in India. Charles attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 6 years with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) on the 17th May 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Leicester and his age as 18 years. He gave his present place of residence as 97, Knighton Fields Road, Knighton, Leicester. His trade or calling as a shoe hand, and his employer as Mr. J. Asher of Dartford Road, Aylestone, Leicester. He stated that he was unmarried and confirmed that he had been a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his father Charles Cave, his mother Sarah, sisters, Amy, Gertie, Grace, Blanche, Hilda and Mary, all of 97, Knighton Fields Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¾ inches in height, weighed 116 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had an anchor tattoo on his left arm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for Militia service. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) as a Private, service number 8243 on the 17/5/02. Commenced 49 days of drill on the 17/5/02. Transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 6/1/03.
The War Diary records: 17 Oct-14 – Marched at 7:00am to AUBERS, “W” and “X” Coys forming the flank guard, these companies took up a position guarding the left flank and were engaged with the enemy who were at FROMELLES. Relieved in late afternoon by R. Irish Regt and at dusk marched to BAS POMMEREAU and billeted.
APPENDICES VII & VIII. List of Casualties at PONT DU HEM and HERLIES.
17/10/14 Killed: 1273, L/Sjt, Howard. 703, Pte, Morris. 9112, Pte, Cave. 17/10/14 Wounded: 419, L/C, Sadler. 3767, Pte, Kennedy. 8843, Pte, May. 9675, Pte, McMahon. 703, Pte, Chaplin. 976, Pte, Addam. 3298, L/C, King. 1402, Pte, Ramsay.
An account of the action for the day records: Entering Aubers by 1:00am. “W” and “X” Companies took up positions overlooking Fromelles on high ground to the north. Came under heavy shell fire. All attempts to enter village being driven back to line about 500 yards to the south. French artillery opened fire about 12:30pm forcing the enemy from their cover. Captain H. R. Sandilands (later Brigadier) records in his war history of the 1st and 2nd Battalions that the Germans “...fled into the open to fall victims to the rifles of the Fifth.” Relieved by the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment to billets at Bas Pommereau. Casualties – 3 other ranks killed, 7 wounded. Went forward under heavy shell fire to Herlies 6:00am on the 18th.
On Friday November 20th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Information has reached Leicester that Charles Otway Cave, serving with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on October 17th. Cave before the war was engaged as a motorman on the Leicester tramways.
On Saturday November 21st 1914 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “MOTOR-MAN KILLED AT FRONT.” – Information has reached Leicester that Charles Otway Cave, serving with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on October 17th. He went through the battle of Mons unscathed. Cave resided with his parents at 14, Aylestone Street, Leicester, and before the war was engaged as a motor-man on the Leicester Tramways. Private R. H. Hunt, of the 16th Queen’s Lancers, is reported to be lying at No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen, wounded in the chest. He is a married reservist, his home being at 37, Town Hall Lane, Leicester. Private S. Beck, of the 2nd Battalion Leicester Regiment, has been wounded in the forearm, and is now in hospital in England. Beck is a Leicester man, his relatives living at 13, William Street. Private Geo. Dodge, D Comp., 1st Leicester Regiment, is reported to be a prisoner of war, interned at Gottingen, Hanover. His parents home is at 17, Flint Street, Leicester. Private G. O. Shepherd, of the 1st Leicester’s, is also a prisoner of war at Gottingen. He is a married reservist, his wife and children residing at 23, Craven Street, Leicester.