Nabor Keith Cale
Previously employed as an architectural assistant with West Sussex County Council, he was employed as an architectural assistant in the County Architect's Department, Nottinghamshire County Council, from 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Nabor Keith was born in 1916 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, the son of Albert Edgar and Annie Emma Cale (née Davis), and was baptised at Bishton in the parish of Llanddewi-Rhydderch, Monmouth, on 17 December the same year.
Albert and Annie had been married on 27 December 1915 at the parish church of Llanddewi-Rhydderch. Albert's occupation was given as soldier, residence Branshott Camp. His father, John George, was a farmer and Albert was recorded on later census as a farmer. Nabor Keith was probably the eldest of five children: Albert Roy b. 1920, William R b. 1922, Gordon b. 1925 and Joan b. 1931.
The family was living in Monmouth at the time of the 1921 Census, but Keith later moved to Worthing, West Sussex, where he was employed by the County Council as an architectural assistant.
Keith married Revis Ruth Davis, the daughter of Edgar and Marjorie Revis Davis (née Jolliffe), at Taring parish church, Worthing, on 28 August 1939, shortly after he had been appointed to Nottinghamshire County Council.
The couple were later recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register living at 20 Zulla Road, Mapperley Park, Nottingham, in the household of George and Emily Ford. Their daughter June Rosalind was born the following year (reg. J/A/S Worthing).
Revis Cale was recorded on her husband's Probate record (March 1943) living in Usk, Monmouthshire. She did not remarry and her death was recorded in 2012 (reg. Maidenhead).
Nabor Keith Cale was commissioned Temporary Sub Lieutenant RNVR on 20 March 1941 and promoted Temporary Lieutenant RNVR on 20 March 1942. Between 19 May 1941 and December the same year he was First Lieutenant HM MGB [motor gun boat] 87, [HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William)] and from 2 February 1942 until his death on 24 August as Commanding Officer, HM MGB 9 [HMS Wasp (Coastal Forces base, Dover)].
Nabor was the senior officer of a flotilla of motor gun boats when on 24 August 1942 he led an attack against enemy mine-layers which were escorted by E-boats. He was killed in the action and was Mentioned in Despatches for his bravery. (See 'Extra information')
He is buried in Dover (St James's) Cemetery (grave ref. Row A. Grave 10).
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Albert Edgar and Annie E. Cale; husband of Revis Ruth Cale, of Worthing, Sussex.' (cwgc.org.uk)
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In loving memory of Keith dear husband of Revis and darling daddy of June'
Chichester Observer, Saturday 2 September 1939: ‘Married. Mr Nabor Keith Cale, who was in the County Architect’s department up to last week, before taking a new appointment at Nottingham, was married at Taring Parish Church on Monday. The bride was Miss Revis Ruth Davis, who was living at Worthing, the daughter of Mr and Mrs E Davis, of Usk, Monmouthshire. Mr Cale is a son of Mr and Mrs AE Cale, of Usk. Miss Davis wore a powder blue two-piece with a sprig of white heather and navy blue accessories. She was given away by her uncle, Mr G Jolliffe. The two little girls she had been looking after, Valerie and Jessica Gooda, were bridesmaids. The one wore pink taffeta and the other blue velvet. They had bandeaux to match, and carried Victorian posies. Best man was Mr RE Wheatley. After the reception at the Burlington Hotel, Mr and Mrs Cale went by road to the Strand Palace hotel for a short honeymoon before Mr Cale starts his duties with Nottingham (sic) Council Council.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Supplement to the London Gazette 20 October 1942. Mention in Despatches (Posthumous) ‘Temporary Lieutenant Nabor Keith Cales, RNVR. For great bravery in leading his force of Motor Gun Boats against a far more powerful enemy, and in closing range until he was killed in action.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Dundee Evening Telegraph, 21 October 1942: ‘Led Gunboat Attack on E-Boats. A young British naval officer – Lieut. Nabor Keith Cale RNVR who gave his life in a deliberate attack on a much larger and more powerful enemy force in the English Channel, is mentioned in despatches in last night’s ‘London Gazette.’ Lieut. Cale was senior officer of a flotilla of motor gunboats ordered to intercept enemy minelayers states the Admiralty. The minelayers were escorted by a strong force of E-boats, but Lieut. Cale led his force to close with the enemy at short range. At least two enemy craft were heavily hit and another was set on fire before Lieut. Cale was killed by a shell burst from the German guns. Lieut Phillip Sidney Marshall RNVR was seriously wounded by the explosion but, single-handed, he extinguished a fire and ‘continued to fight his ship in a most gallant manner.’ He wins the Distinguished Service Cross.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: it is probable that Lieutenant Marshall RNVR survived the war.
Dover Express, 23 October 1942: (extract) ‘Bravery in Channel Battles. A young British naval officer who gave his life in a deliberate attack on a much larger and more powerful force in the English Channel has been mentioned in despatches. He was Lieut. Nabor Keith Cale RNVR senior officer of a flotilla of motor-gunboats. The flotilla was ordered to intercept enemy mine-layers which were escorted by a strong force of E-boats. Despite their superior numbers and the approach of daylight, Lieut. Cale led his force to close the enemy at short range. At least two enemy craft were heavily hit and another was set on fire before Lieut. Cale was himself killed by a shell-burst from the German guns. The following awards have been announced …’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
See also Birmingham Mail and Belfast Telegraph (21 October 1942), Gloucester Citizen (23 October 1942), Newcastle Journal (6 November 1942).
No photos