PYE, John
| Service Numbers: | 14355, 1307 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 January 1916, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Group Captain |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Laverton |
| Born: | Newcastle upon Tyne, England, 19 July 1888 |
| Home Town: | Collingwood, Yarra, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Carrum, Victoria, Australia, 11 November 1978, aged 90 years |
| Cemetery: |
Brighton General Cemetery, Victoria Methodist C 104 |
| Memorials: | Sydney Singer Sewing Machine Company's Employees Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 14355, 1st Australian Wireless Squadron (ANZAC), Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 May 1916: | Involvement Driver, 14355, 1st Australian Wireless Squadron (ANZAC), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Morea embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 30 May 1916: | Embarked Driver, 14355, 1st Australian Wireless Squadron (ANZAC), RMS Morea, Melbourne |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Mar 1921: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Group Captain, 1307, RAAF Laverton, Laverton, Vic. |
|---|
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Mrs Francis Alma Pye, 123 Cromwell Street, Collingwood, Victoria
Husband of Alice PYE, 6 Burns Street, Box Hill, Victoria
Awarded MBE 1st January 1941 RAAF Honours List
John was born 19 July 1888 in Newcastle on Tyne in England, the son of John Francis Pye and his wife Frances Alma Richardson.
John was a Clerk when he enlisted on 29 January 1916. In April 1916 he transferred from B Company 22nd Battalion at Royal Park to the Wireless Corps at Broadmeadows.
As a Driver with the 1st Australian Wireless Squadron he embarked from Melbourne, on board RMS Morea on 30 May 1916. On 5 July 1916 he Disembarked H T Ellenga at Basrah.
He was admitted to hospital in Baghdad on 15 September 1917 with fever.
When John returned to Australia 26 June 1918 for a month furlough on board HT Aronda, he had been serving with the 1st Australian & New Zealand Wireless Signal Squadron. He was discharged 11 September 1918.
He was a Private in the Australian Air Corps from 1 January 1920 till 29 February 1920 being promoted to Corporal on 1 March 1920 and was discharged 30 March 1921.
As 1307 John enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 31 March 1921.
In 1926 John married Alice Smallhorn and they were to have five children.
Awarded MBE 1st January 1941 RAAF Honours List – His Citation reads – Flight Lieutenant J Pye enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps in 1920 and since that date he has been employed in stores accounting work. He was granted a commission as Flying Office on 1st September, 1938, and granted the honorary rank of Flight Lieutenant on 1st September 1940. With marked success and ability he has carried out the duties of Assistant Director of St rec Accounts from 1928 till 1940 and subsequently as Director of Stores Accounts. He is an extremely zealous and conscientious officer.
John was discharged from the RAAF 19 July 1948.
From the Electoral Rolls John, a Clerk and Alice lived for many years at 6 Evan Street in Box Hill, in the 1954 roll three of their children were living there, Charles, John and William.
Alice died 14 August 1968 and was buried at the Brighton Cemetery at Methodist C Grave 104 with their nine week old son, Frank and John’s mother Frances.
John died 11 November 1978 and was buried in the family grave at Brighton Cemetery.
Courtesy of Lois - Brighton Cemetorians
Source: NAA, AIF Project, Nominal Rolls, https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/114036, BDM’s, Electoral Rolls, Brighton Cemetery Registers.
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