Brigadier Hugh Pye, commanded the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and led a life of service – obituary

Brigadier Pye with the Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, Dec 1988 at the inauguration of the Oman Command & Staff College

Brigadier Hugh Pye, who has died aged 86, was a regimental soldier to the core, a strong-willed person who knew what he wanted and usually got it.

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.

Hugh William Kellow Pye was born on May 23 1938 in Haywards Heath, Sussex. His father, Brigadier Randall 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 Germany, before going on to Nicosia in Cyprus.

He returned to Tidworth in Wiltshire for the amalgamation of the 9th and 12th Lancers. 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.

After a number of staff jobs, 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 a Mention in Despatches.

Pye, right, when he was commanding 9/12 with with, centre, Roy Mason, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Omagh, 1977

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 South West 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.

Pye was fond of royal parades. On one occasion, when the Queen Mother presented the new guidon, an Alsatian – not under Pye’s command – cocked its leg on the saluting base. The Queen Mother, who always enjoyed moments when things did not go entirely to plan, laughed and clapped.

Brigadier Hugh Pye, Treasurer (1992-2003), Society of Merchant Venturers. Portrait by Camilla Boggis-Rolfe, 2003 - Society of Merchant Venturers

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.

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

Hugh Pye, born May 23 1938, died May 30 2024

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