William Pye (5670) joined the Australian Army on 19 February 1916, just after his 21st birthday. He was posted to the 23rd Battalian, 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division AIF. He disebarked Melbourne on HMAT Shropshire on 25 September 1916, arriving Plymouth 11 November 1916. He arrived in France on 12 December 1916, and was wounded with a gunshot wound to his back which penetrated his lung on 4 March 1917. The injury was described as "severe". He was evacuated to the 1st London General Hospital on 21 March 1917. He returned to France on 15 May 1918. He returned to Australia on 4 April 1919.

At time of enlistment

The Pye family, less Harry, sailed on the ss Norseman, a steamship with a registred tonnage of 6929. It departed from the Port of London with 828 adults and 300 children bound for Brisbane. The Pye family sailed as far as Melbourne.

Mary Agnes & Thomas Pye, together with seven of their eight children left England in July 1912 on board the SS Norseman. They arrived in Melbourne in September 1912 after a seven week voyage. They stayed in a small hotel in Spencer Stret, Melbourne for three weeks. They then went to Park Oarchards, living behind chalet and working for Gibbs-Bright and Sell orchards for one year.