Charles Pye


Charles Pye 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.

Details

Pye was approximately 37 years old, and a sergeant-major in the 53rd Regiment of Foot, 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:
Charles Pye is not to be confused with Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Colquhoun Pye, 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 daughter. 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 from the NZ Forces, Pye and his family travelled to England to collect his father. During the return voyage Mary, his wife, died in India. Charles Pye lived for a time at Shortland and then in Australia where he died in 1876.
His medals were donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

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. The farming locality of Pyes Pa, south of Tauranga, is named after him.
Memorials honouring Captain Pye can be found at Stafford, UK and Kirkstall near Koroit, Victoria.

Gallery