127176 Sergeant Major

ROBERT JAMES BYE, VC.

BORN: December 12th, 1889, at 13 Maritime Street, Graig, Pontypridd.

His parents, Martin and Sarah Jane Bye, then moved to 21 Woodfield Street, Penrhiwceiber, near Aberdare, Wales, and Robert was educated at the local school.

After leaving school he worked at The Deep Dyffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, also near Aberdare. He married a Welsh girl from Penrhiwceiber, Mabel Lloyd, at Pontypridd on October 14, 1912, and they had two sons and two daughters.

SERVED: 1^st Battalion Welsh Guards April 3, 1915.

Advancement through the ranks was rapid. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal in March 1916, Corporal in September of that year, and then to Sergeant in April 1917.

DATE OF GAZETTE: 6TH SEPTEMBER, 1917.

V.C. CITATION: On 31st July, 1917, at the Yser Canal, Belgium, for most conspicuous bravery, Sergeant Bye displayed the utmost courage and devotion to duty during an attack on the enemy's position. Seeing that the leading waves were being troubled by two enemy blockhouses, he, on his own initiative, rushed at one of them and put the garrison out of action. He then rejoined his Company, and went forward to the assault of the second objective. When the troops had gone forward to attack the third objective, a party was detailed to clear up a line of blockhouses which had been passed. Sergeant Bye volunteered to take charge of this party, accomplished his objective, and took many prisoners. He subsequently advanced to the third objective, capturing a number of prisoners, thus rendering invaluable assistance to the assaulting Companies. He displayed throughout, the most remarkable initiative.

He was invested with his VC by King George V, on September 27, 1917.

He served in France and Flanders, and was discharged in February 1919. Six months later he re-enlisted in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, remaining with it until 1925. He finally re-enlisted again, with the Sherwood Foresters in World War Two. After the war he worked at Warsop Main, Firbeck, and Welbeck Collieries in the Nottinghamshire coalfield. He also became a temporary Police Constable at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

DIED: 23^rd August, 1962.

BURIED: Warsop Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Welsh Guards RHQ) in London, England.  

   Medal entitlement

Victoria Cross

1914 - 1915 Star

British War Medal 1914 - 1920

Victory Medal 1914 - 1919

King George VI Coronation Medal 1937

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953

Sgt. Robert Bye VC,

1st Battalion Welsh Guards near Langemarck

by

David Rowlands.

Worthy picture for any collector

The Grave of Robert James Bye VC.

Warsop Cemetery, Warsop, Nottinghamshire