THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TOSERGEANT-MAJOR CHARLES PYE, 53RD REGIMENT, HAVE BEEN DONATED TO THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM, NEW ZEALAND
June 2001


( select to enlarge )

Medal entitlement of Sergeant Major Charles Pye,
53rd Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • Gwalior Campaign Star ( 1843 )
    • Maharajpoor Star
  • Sutlej Medal ( 1845-46 )
    • Reverse: "Moodkee 1845"
    • 3 clasps:
    • "Ferozeshuhur" - "Aliwal" - "Sobraon"
  • Punjab Medal ( 1848-49 )
  • Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow"
  • New Zealand Medal ( 1860-66 )

The Auckland War Memorial Museum has confirmed the acquisition of the following Victoria Cross group to add to their collection. The Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant-Major Charles Pye, 53rd Regiment ( later King's Shropshire Light Infantry ) was donated by a private collector who had received the medal from a family source.


The extraordinary military career of Charles Pye began with service in the 40th Regiment (*) at the Battle of Maharajpoor, India, on 29 December 1843, followed by enlistment in the 31st Regiment (**) during the Sutlej Campaign of 1845-1846 and taking part in the Battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur, Aliwal and Sobraon. He later served with the 53rd Regiment (***) in the Punjab Campaign of 1848-1849 and the Campaign in 1852 against the Hill Tribes on the Peshawar Frontier.

Charles Pye further took part in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1859 including the action of Khujwah, Relief of Lucknow, Battle of Cawnpore, pursuit of the Gwalior Contingent to Serai Ghat, the action of Khodagunge and entry into Futtehghur. The storming and capture of Meangunge, siege and capture of Lucknow, affair of Koorsie, passage of the Goomtee and occupation of Sultanpore.


For the award of the Victoria Cross:

[ London Gazette, 24 December 1858 ]. Lucknow, India, 17 November 1857, Sergeant-Major Charles Pye, 53rd Regiment.

For steadiness and fearless conduct under fire at Lucknow when bringing up ammunition to the Mess House, and on every occasion when the regiment had been engaged.

( Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the 53rd Regiment ).


Charles Pye died whilst visiting relatives in Victoria, Australia, and is buried in the Tower Hill Cemetery, Koroit, Victoria.


  • ( * ) = 40th ( 2nd Somersetshire ) Regiment of Foot, later South Lancashire Regiment
  • ( ** ) = 31st ( Huntingdonshire ) Regiment of Foot, later East Surrey Regiment
  • ( *** ) = 53rd ( Shropshire ) Regiment of Foot, later King's Shropshire Light Infantry

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Iain Stewart, 9 September 2001