[2] The son of Edward Cave and Fannie Russell, he was born in Bay Roberts and was educated there.

After completing his schooling, he spent several years in Canada working as a member of the Salvation Army Field Force.

Cave reached the rank of major before he resigned in 1916 and set up a dry goods business in St.

[1] In 1919, Cave finished second in the two member riding of Bay de Verde, five votes ahead of Albert Hickman, the Liberal Progressive candidate.

Cave had been named Minister of Shipping following the general election; although this was not a cabinet post, this may have helped him win the by-election.