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.
21 Facts About Charles Pye
2.
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.
3.
Charles Colquhoun Pye was not the recipient of the Victoria Cross.
4.
Charles Pye was the eldest child of Thomas Pye and Alice Hall.
5.
Charles Pye's baptism occurred on 24 September 1820 at St Mary's church, Castle Church, Staffordshire.
6.
Charles Pye was probably a few months old when he was baptised.
7.
Charles Pye's death certificate and obituary state he was 56 years old when he died, which suggests he was born prior to July 1820.
8.
Charles Pye's sister Harriet and brother Peter were born in Birmingham, where Thomas was a brickmaker.
9.
George Pye was later quoted in a newspaper saying that Charles was "educated at Stafford" and indeed his later correspondence was well written.
10.
Where Charles Pye worked after the completion of his schooling is unknown by 1840 he enlisted at Coventry, Warwickshire, from there being sent for service to India with the 40th Regiment.
11.
Charles Pye was promoted to Corporal and transferred into the 53rd Foot in 1858.
12.
Charles Pye became adjutant in 1859 and was promoted without purchase to lieutenant on 9 April 1860.
13.
In 1862 Charles Pye took his discharge and emigrated to New Zealand with his wife and stepdaughter.
14.
Charles Pye served at Hairini and Te Ranga in the Bay of Plenty and a redoubt near Tauranga, Pye's Pa was named in his honour.
15.
Charles Pye is buried in the same cemetery as his three half brothers.
16.
Charles Pye's medals were donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
17.
Charles Pye had been a far better soldier than a businessman as his bankruptcy attested.
18.
Charles Pye purchased the Duke of Edinburgh goldmine but was later led into speculating and lost heavily.
19.
Charles Pye was taken ill with bronchitis which proved fatal and was buried in the Tower Hill cemetery at Koroit near Warrnambool.
20.
Mary Ann Charles Pye died at her son-in-law's home at Mangere on 31 December 1900 and is buried at the Mangere cemetery with her daughter and grandchildren.
21.
Memorials honouring Captain Charles Pye can be found at Stafford, UK and Kirkstall near Koroit, Victoria.