CHARLES PYE VC & JAMES CRICHTON VC

THE VICTORIA CROSSES AWARDED TO SERGEANT-MAJOR CHARLES PYE & PRIVATE JAMES CRICHTON HAVE BEEN DONATED TO THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM, NEW ZEALAND
June 2001

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

SERGEANT CHARLES PYE VC - 53rd Regiment.

The extraordinary military career of Charles Pye began with service in the 40th Regiment at the Battle of Maharajpore, India, on 29 December 1843, followed by enlistment in the 21st Regiment during the Sutlej Campaign of 1845-1846 and taking part in the Battles of Moodkee, Aliwal and Sobroan. 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.

[ 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.

Medal entitlement of Sergeant Major Charles Pye - 53rd Regiment ( King's Shropshire Light Infantry )

Victoria Cross

Gwalior Campaign ( 1843 )

Maharajpoor Star

Sutlej Medal ( 1845-46 )

3 clasps:
"Ferozeshuhur" - "Aliwal" - "Sobraon"

Punjab Medal ( 1848-49 )

Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )

1 clasp:
"Relief of Lucknow"

New Zealand Medal ( 1860-66 )

PRIVATE JAMES CRICHTON VC - 53rd Regiment.

James Crichton was born in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, was a veteran of the Boer War and was serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Auckland Regiment ( Countess of Ranfurly's Own ) when he won the Victoria Cross in France during WW1.

[ London Gazette, 15 November 1918 ]. Crevecoer, France, 30 September 1918, Private James Crichton, 2nd Bn, Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when although wounded in the foot, he continued with the advancing troops, despite difficult canal and river obstacles. When his platoon was subsequently forced back by a counter-attack he succeeded in carrying a message which involved swimming a river and crossing an area swept by machine-gun fire, subsequently rejoining his platoon. Later he undertook on his own initiative to save a bridge which had been mined, and although under close fire of machine-guns and snipers, he succeeded in removing the charges returning with the fuses and detonators. Though suffering from a painful wound, he displayed the highest degree of valour and devotion to duty."

James Crichton died on 22 September 1961, aged 82, and is buried in the Waikumete Memorial Park Soldiers' Cemetery, near Auckland.

Medal entitlement of Private James Crichton - 2nd Bn, Auckland Regiment, NZEF

Victoria Cross

Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )