Charles Pye

Charles Pye VC (chr: 24 September 1820 – 12 July 1876) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

This article is about the soldier. For the engraver, see Charles Pye (engraver).

Charles Pye

VC
Charles Pye's medal group now at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
BornForebridge, Staffordshire
Died12 July 1876 (aged 55)
Kirkstall, Victoria, Australia
Buried
Tower Hill cemetery, Koroit
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankCaptain
Unit40th Regiment of Foot
21st Regiment of Foot
53rd Regiment of Foot
New Zealand Militia
Battles/warsFirst Anglo-Sikh War
Second Anglo-Sikh War
Indian Mutiny
New Zealand Wars
Awards Victoria Cross

Details

Pye was approximately 37 years old, and a sergeant-major in the 53rd Regiment of Foot (later The King's Shropshire Light Infantry), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 17 November 1857 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC:

For steadiness and fearless conduct under fire at Lucknow, on the 17th of November, 1857, when bringing up ammunition to the Mess House, and on every occasion when the Regiment has been engaged. Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment.[1]

Charles Pye is not to be confused with Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Colquhoun Pye (11 Nov 1834 – 17 Feb 1872), son of Henry John Pye and Mary Anne Walker of Clifton Campville, Staffordshire. Charles Colquhoun Pye was not the recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Further information

Charles Pye's birth date is unknown. His baptism occurred on 24 September 1820 at St Mary's church, Castle Church, Staffordshire. Charles was probably a few months old when he was baptised. His death certificate and obituary state he was 56 years old when he died, which suggests he was born prior to July 1820.

Pye was commissioned into the 53rd Foot in 1858. He became adjutant in 1859 and was promoted lieutenant in 1861.

In 1862 Charles Pye took his discharge and emigrated to New Zealand with his wife and stepdaughter. Here he was appointed Captain of the Auckland Militia in July 1863, and the following year as Captain of the Colonial Defence Force. He served at Hairini and Te Ranga in the Bay of Plenty and a redoubt near Tauranga, Pye's Pa was named in his honour.

Following his discharge Charles Pye lived for a time at Shortland (Thames) and then in Kirkstall, Victoria Australia where he purchased his father's farm in 1876 a month before he died in July 1876.

His medals were donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[2]

Later life

After settling in Papakura and Karaka Hill, New Zealand, Charles Pye actually died in Australia on 12 July 1876, aged 56 whilst visiting his father in Kirkstall, Victoria. He was taken ill with bronchitis which proved fatal and was buried in the Tower Hill cemetery at Koroit near Warrnambool.[3] The farming locality of Pyes Pa, south of Tauranga, is named after him.[4] Memorials honouring Captain Pye can be found at Stafford, UK (his birthplace) and Kirkstall near Koroit, Victoria (his deathplace).

  • Obverse of Victoria Cross awarded to Charles Pye
  • Gwalior Campaign Star 29 December 1843 awarded to Private Charles Pye
  • Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58 with bars for Lucknow and Relief of Lucknow awarded to Ensign Charles Pye, 53rd Regiment
  • Sutlej Campaign Medal 1845-46 awarded to Corporal Charles Pye, 31st Regiment
  • New Zealand Medal 1860-66 awarded to Captain Charles Pye, Colonial Defence Force
  • Reverse of Victoria Cross awarded to Charles Pye
  • Reverse of Gwalior Campaign Star 29 December 1843 awarded to Private Charles Pye
  • Engraving on Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Ensign Charles Pye, 53rd Regiment
  • Reverse of New Zealand Medal 1860-66 awarded to Captain Charles Pye, Colonial Defence Force
  • Engraving on New Zealand Medal 1860-66 awarded to Captain Charles Pye, Colonial Defence Force
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References
  1. "No. 22212". The London Gazette. 24 December 1858. p. 5513.
  2. "medal, decoration". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  3. The Victoria Cross to the 53rd Regiment : India 1857-58
  4. "New Zealand History online". Retrieved 14 March 2013.
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