Brigadier Hugh Pye OBE (C 56)

Brigadier Hugh Pye, who has died aged 86, was a regimental soldier to the core; he had firm opinions and expressed them with great clarity. He also had enormous energy, a fierce determination to do things properly, a great sense of fun and a willingness to take on any challenge. 

Hugh William Kellow Pye was born on 23rd May 1938 in Haywards Heath, Sussex. His father, Brigadier Randall ‘Pudding’ Pye, was serving in the British Army in India and was subsequently awarded a DSO in Tunisia while commanding a battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. 

Young Hugh was educated at Wellington before going on to RMA Sandhurst. In 1958, he was commissioned into the 12th Lancers and joined the regiment at Wolfenbüttel in West Germany before going on to Nicosia in Cyprus. 

He returned to Tidworth in Wiltshire for the amalgamation of the 9th and 12th Lancers in 1960. For the next few years, he was a troop leader, adjutant and junior staff officer in a variety of postings including Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Aden, West Germany and Berlin, where he commanded a squadron. In 1977, Pye assumed command of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (9/12L) and led the regiment on an operational tour to Northern Ireland. His strong leadership was recognised by mentions in Dispatches. 

His subsequent service included two tours with the United Nations in Cyprus and a notable part in the founding of the Oman Command & Staff College. He learnt Turkish and Greek before taking the appointment in Cyprus, and Arabic before his posting to Oman. 

In 1993, he ended his Army career as Deputy Commander Southwest District and Commander of the British Contingent Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land). He was Colonel of 9/12L from 1995 to 2003. From 1992 to 2002, he was Colonel of the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry, and he was also Colonel of the City and Council of Bristol Combined Cadet Force. 

In 1992, Pye became treasurer and de facto chief executive of the Society of Merchant Venturers of Bristol Society, which helps to provide care for older people and long-term support for young people in the city, helping them to achieve their goals through education, enrichment opportunities and workplace experiences. He was appointed OBE in 2003 on his retirement from the Society. 

Pye was also chairman of the governors of Colston’s Collegiate College and Colston’s Girls’ School. In 1996, he became chairman of CLIC, a charity for cancer and leukemia in childhood. CLIC needed reorganisation and finance, and with his energy and influence Pye assembled a new trustee board, put the charity on a sound financial basis and established its international role. 

Settled in a village in Somerset, Pye loved his garden and was closely involved with the Spaxton Flower Show. He also enjoyed shooting and was a keen fisherman. He had a strong Christian faith and took a great interest in his local church. He maintained his links with his regiment and had many friendships with old comrades up to the time of his death. 

In 1968, Hugh Pye married Mary Edwardes, who survives him with their daughter and son. 

Hugh Pye, born 23rd May 1938, died 30th May 2024. 

Courtesy of The Telegraph