Robert James Bye

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Robert James Bye VC (12 December 1889-23 August 1962) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was born in Pontypridd.

He was 27 years old, and a Sergeant in the 1st Bn., Welsh Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 31 July 1917 at the Yser Canal, Belgium, during an attack, Sergeant Bye saw that the leading waves were being troubled by two enemy block-houses. He rushed at one of them and put the garrison out of action. He then rejoined his company and went forward to the second objective. Later he volunteered to take charge of a party detailed to clear up a line of block-houses which had been passed. He accomplished this, taking many prisoners, and then advanced to the third objective, again taking a number of prisoners. During the action he accounted for over 70 of the enemy.

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