Leslie Walter Pye in his torpedo bodied A Type Vauxhall. 1912. Photograph Courtesy Peter Wier
Leslie Pye was born in 1871. He became a pharmacist with his own business in 1894, it was called Mr Virtue. The pharmacy was popular and stayed in the family until the 1980’s.
Leslie W. Pye’s Corn and Wart Solvent is a sure cure for Corns and Warts. It differs from all other preparations. Price 1s. Leslie W. Pye, Chemist (by exam.). Only address, next Bank N.S. Wales, Parramatta.
Leslie married Josephine Yeager and they lived in the house they built, Waawaarwaa in Harris Park.
Leslie was also a very accomplished cricketer. He played for Cumberland First Grade for many years as well as being team Captain. He represented Australia in 1902. His other passions included Bowling, here he was the Captain of the Parramatta Bowling Club and motoring. He was a member of the Automobile Club of Australia and won awards in hill climbing, a gold medal Sydney to Bathurst reliability trials and petrol tests.
Mr Leslie W. Pye, who lived in Harris Park, became the owner of this 1909 A Type Vauxhall. Photo courtsey of Peter Wier
Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2019
References:
LESLIE W. PYE. (1920, July 24). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW: 1888 – 1950), p. 4. Retrieved on 22 January 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103252390
Death of Cricket Star, L. Pye. (1949, March 16). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW: 1888 – 1950), p. 2. Retrieved on 22 January 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111529274
When Pye Was Dropped from the Australian Team. (1940, January 4). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), p. 4. Retrieved on 22 January 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106203351
Les. Pye-Cricketer. (1925, January 13). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW: 1888 – 1950), p. 6. Retrieved on 22 January 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103761543
Thomas, Christine, A Family of Significant Substance: 197 years of the Pye Family in Australia. Christine G Thomas, 1989.
Parramatta & District Historical Society, Men of Parramatta, Parramatta & District Historical Society, 2000.