Highest honour for hero of WWI

COURAGE far above and beyond the call of duty earned a Penrhiwceiber man the Victoria Cross on the muddy fields of Flanders 100 years ago.

Sgt Robert James Bye’s part in an attack on German fortifications in the summer of 1917 has been described as a display of “the most conspicuous bravery”.

So outstanding were his actions in the Third Battle of Ypres, which became commonly and infamously known as Passchendaele, that Sgt Bye, of the 1st Bn, Welsh Guards, then 27, was awarded the country’s most prestigious honour for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

His citation records that Sgt Bye displayed “the utmost courage and devotion to duty” as British infantrymen went “over the top”.

It continues: “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 the attack on the third objective, a party was detailed to clear up a line of blockhouses which had been passed.

“Sgt Bye volunteered to take charge of this party, accomplished his object, 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.”

Sgt Bye was born in Pontypridd but grew up in Glanlay Street, Penrhiwceiber. After leaving school, he worked at Deep Dyffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, and in 1925 moved to Nottinghamshire with his wife Mabel to work in the pits there. The couple had four children.

He also served in World War II as a Sgt Major in the Sherwood Foresters, guarding prisoners of war until ill health arising from his work underground forced him to leave the army.

He then served in the Home Guard and as a temporary police constable.

In Warsop, where Sgt Bye and his family lived after moving from Wales, the town’s inner relief road has been named “Robert Bye Way” in his honour.

The road signs, however, do not carry the letters “VC” to reflect Sgt Bye’s modesty and reluctance to talk about his war exploits.

He died in 1962, and his Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Welsh Guards RHQ) in London.