Born in Cochin, South India. Son of Alexander Carnegie Cavendish, agent Bank of Madras, and Joanna May Campbell Cavendish, of 5 Northcote Road, Clifton. Younger brother of Alexander, and older brother of Mary and James. During their years at school in Britain, all four lived with Henry H Howes and Edna Howes, at Hunters Hall, Bitton Village, Bitton, Keynsham, Somerset, England.

 

Husband of Marjory Philippa Mercer (formerly Cavendish, nee George), of Upper Chilland House, Winchester. Father of Barbara Anne Crawford Cavendish, born 6th July 1909 at Murrel Hills Pinjuab, India.

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Cavendish was born on 01/01/1881, and attended the School from 1892-1893. He served as a Major in the Army, with the Royal Field Artillery, "B" Bty, 87th Bde..  He was awarded the Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions. Cavendish sadly lost his life on 01/08/1916, as a result of the War.

 

Cavendish is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France, grave reference VIII. G. 2.

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There is also a memorial headstone to Cavendish in St. James Churchyard, Finchampstead, England. His original cross burial marker, and a memorial plaque are on the walls of Fleet Holy Trinity Church, Dorset. Images of these can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/13706945@N00/10371249714/in/photostream/

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Mentioned in Despatches

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Cavendish was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions. First, on 17th February 1915 in London Gazette issue 29072, page 1647, and second on 4th January 1917 in London Gazette issue 29890, page 208.

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In Memory of Major Hugh Crawford Cavendish

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Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown War Memorial Roll of Honour

In memory of Major Hugh Crawford Cavendish.

‘B’ Bty. 87th Bde., Royal Field Artillery. Killed in Action 1st August 1916 Age 35

 

Major Hugh Crawford Cavendish does not appear to have a direct connection with Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown. His connection is through his youngest sister May, who was married to Captain Carlton Collingwood, the assistant manager of the Vulcan Foundry. Major Cavendish and Captain Collingwood were killed a week apart on the battlefields of the Somme.

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Major Cavendish is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, which is ten kilometres east of Albert. As he is in Plot VIII (Row C Grave 2), almost certainly his body will have been moved to this cemetery from one of the many smaller ones in the area after the Armistice.

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He was born in 1881 and was the second son of the late Mr. Alex Cavendish and of Mrs. Joanna M. C. Cavendish, of Finchampstead, Berkshire. Educated at Bedford, he was given his commission on passing out of Woolwich in November 18999. He served in the South Africa War, and had the Queen’s Medal with two clasps. He married, in 1908, Marjory Philippa, the second daughter of the late Mr. C. E. A. George and Mrs. George, of Fleet House, near Weymouth. His death left a widow and a daughter. The CWGC website gives his wife as being Marjory Philippa Mercer, of Upper Chilland House, Winchester, so she may have remarried late in, or shortly after the end of the war.

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In October 1914, he became Major, and went out to Belgium with the 7th Division. He was wounded at the first battle of Ypres, and came home and formed a battery in one of the new armies. Major Cavendish went to the front with them in July 1915, and commanded this battery until the time of his death.