Brigadier Hugh Pye, OBE, who died 30 May, 2024, aged 86, was a scion of the Pye landed gentry family, formerly of Blythe, and he commanded the 9th/12th Royal Lancers.
Hugh William Kellow Pye was born 23 May, 1938, son of Brigadier Randall Thomas Kellow Pye, DSO, OBE, known as 'Pudding' (1904-2002), and his wife the former Peggy Muriel Sagar-Musgrave-Brooksbank (1909-1999), scion of the Sagar-Musgrave landed gentry family.
Pye led the 9th/12th Royal Lancers on an operational tour to Northern Ireland, two tours with the UN in Cyprus and helped found the Oman Staff College.
Pye had firm opinions and expressed them with great clarity. His judgment on one candidate for an appointment as being “too short”, and on another as “not knowing how to enter a room”, would not be universally well-received in today’s climate. 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.
In 1992 Pye became treasurer and de facto chief executive of the Society of Merchant Venturers of Bristol. The society 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: this charity for cancer and leukaemia in childhood 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.
Pye married 8 June, 1968, Mary Ann Edwardes (born 8 February, 1947), scion of the Barons Kensington, daughter of Commander the Hon David Edwardes, DSC, RN (1907-1983), and his wife the former Elizabeth Broadley (1919-2012), and a granddaughter of the 6th Baron Kensington (1873-1938).
Brig. Pye leaves issue, a son, Robert Alec Kellow Pye (born 30 Oct, 1970), and a daughter, Victoria Ann (born 19 Oct, 1973).
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