The family of Ralph Cave announce his passing on October 12, 2010.
Ralph was born at Rocky Mountain House, Alberta to Arthur Bernard and Annie Rennie McBain Cave on May 26, 1925. Ralph was the fourth of seven children (Arthur, Nancy, George, Ralph, Phillip, Irene and Vince). The family moved to Silver Creek in 1928. Their next move was to their long time family home on 97B, just above Haney Heritage Park, on the outskirts of Salmon Arm. Ralph attended elementary school and graduated from High School in Salmon Arm.
Ralph joined the Royal Canadian Navy special gunnery branch DEMS on his 18th birthday. He served in Halifax, Manchester, Bombay, Karachi, Calcutta, Colombo, Port Said, Cypress, Norfolk - Virginia, Quebec City and Montreal.
Following WWII, in 1947, he joined the BC Provincial Police (BCPP) and was stationed in Maillardville, BC. When the RCMP took over the BCPP, Ralph trained at Fairmount Barracks in Vancouver. Following a term as Head of Traffic Detail in Cloverdale, he was posted to Regina, Saskatchewan, as Riding Staff member. He spent 2 years in Regina instructing recruits, and also, breaking and training young horses from Fort Walsh.
In 1953, Ralph was posted to Ottawa to take over recruit training. As Riding Master he toured the UK Agricultural Fairs with the Musical Ride. He travelled to Jamaica in 1964 to start a mounted section there and he toured western Canada in 1966 with the Musical Ride.
A highlight of his career was a tour of the UK where he presented Queen Elizabeth with the horse Burmese; it was his suggestion which prompted the honour. As well, in 1970, Ralph was invited by the Royals to ride with the RCMP during their visit for Manitoba’s centenary celebration.
Ralph retired from the RCMP in 1972. He and his wife Peggy made their home in Surrey, BC. During his retirement he worked in security at Sears in Metrotown, Vancouver and was PNE Agricultural Manager from 1974 to 1979. He was active with BC Fair’s Association, Cloverdale Fair, Cloverdale Rodeo, Lion’s Club, RCMP Veteran’s Association and Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities. He also golfed, enjoyed woodworking, raised canaries and budgies, and of course, enjoyed his dogs.
Ralph is survived by his wife Peggy, daughter Roxanne (Chris), son Gordon; grandchildren, Spencer, Amelia, Kendra, Myria; and great granddaughter Isla. He is also survived by brothers, Phillip (Ilene) Cave, Vincent (Bea) Cave, of Salmon Arm and sister, Irene Wells (Don) of Grindrod, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Annie and Arthur Cave, brother Art (Chris), brother George, and sister Nancy (Bill Hucul).