LOSS TO LOCAL FOOTBALL – Death of Mr H J Cave of Badsey
We regret to record the death of Mr Harold John Cave of Sandford Villa, Badsey, in Evesham Hospital on Monday night following an operation.
Mr Cave, who was a well-known football referee, was 54. He was the only son of the late Mr Cave and Mrs Cave of Holdenby, Northamptonshire, and came to Badsey with his parents at the age of 10. On leaving school he entered the market gardening industry, being employed by Mr C A Binyon. Later he went into business on his own account.
In 1908 he married Miss Ethel Reeves of Badsey. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and two daughters.
Mr Cave had always displayed a keen interest in the sporting and social life of the village. He was Secretary of the Badsey Rangers Football Club from 1927 until the outbreak of the war, and was also Secretary of the Junior League. In addition he was a member of the Worcestershire Football Association (representing Badsey Rangers), and for many years Secretary of the North Cotswold League meeting and the Worcester and District League meeting. Over a long period he was widely known as a football referee, and was a member of the Referees’ Association and the Evesham and District Discipline Committee. For a number of years he was local correspondent of the Evesham Standard.
Mr Cave took part in many activities in the village where he was held in much esteem. He was a member of the Badsey Flower Show Committee, the Tennis Club Committee and the Village Hall Committee. He was always ready to co-operate in any scheme for the betterment of the village, where his loss is much deplored.
The funeral took place at Badsey (yesterday) Friday afternoon.
A BADSEY RANGER’S TRIBUTE
We have received the following tribute to the late Mr Cave from an official of Badsey Rangers FC:
In the passing of Harold Cave, local football has lost one of its most willing and efficient workers. He had been associated with Badsey Rangers FC since he was a youth, and his unfailing energy had helped the club to improved the standard of its football. He was the prime mover when the team entered the Central Amateur League.
As Secretary since 1927, he had, during his term of office, the pleasure of seeing his club winning the whole of the County Junior cups 1931-1932. As member of the Referees’, Discipline and Worcestershire FA, he has helped many local boys to play in first-class football.
His advice was always sound, and his criticism and forthright manner won the confidence of all. He will be greatly missed in the village and in football circles in the county.
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In the following week’s edition of The Evesham Standard, on Saturday 30th January 1943, a report of the funeral was printed:
FUNERAL OF MR H J CAVE – Many local Organisations represented
The funeral of Mr H J Cave of Sandford Villa, Badsey (whose death was reported in our last issue) took place on Friday at Badsey Parish Church. Canon W C Allsebrook, MA, officiated.
The mourners were: Mrs Cave (widow), Miss K Cave and Mrs G Dodd (daughters), Mr C A Binyon (Chairman of Evesham RDC), Mr P Dodd (friends), Mr & Mrs J Reeves (father and mother-in-law), Mr & Mrs T Reeves (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs F Knight (niece), Mr & Mrs C Barnett (Warwick), Mrs E Walton (Campden), Mrs Stanford, Mrs G Crisp, Mrs Barnett (Worcester), Miss Grubb (Worcester), Mr B Bowdler & Mrs D Bowdler (Kidderminster, cousins), Mr & Mrs E Jelf, Mr D Grinnell, Mr F Herbert and Mrs Lawley, Mr T Mace (representing the Worcester Football Association) and Mr R Geden (Evesham Hospital Committee), members of Badsey Rangers FC, members of Bretforton FC and members of the Cirencester Club.
The Church was crowded and many local bodies were represented in the congregation.
Wreaths were sent by Worcestershire FA, Badsey Rangers, the Rangers’ supporters at the Wheatsheaf, Bretforton Old Boys FC and Evesham & District Referees’ Association.
The bearers were all members of Badsey Rangers FC – Messrs S Rowlands, J Swain, M Dowdswell, W Sears, G Knight Senior and R Knight.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr L G Stribblehill.