The Australian Women's Register

Irene Pye, the fifth of Timothy and Catherine (née Cain) Pye’s six children, was raised in the Victorian western district farming area of Bessiebelle. She attended the local school and after achieving her School Merit Certificate, the highest grade available at the school, she worked at a variety of positions in the district.

In 1943, Pye was given permission by her father and Mrs Milliard, the local school mistress for whom she worked, to join the AWAS. On 8 September 1943 Irene Pye and her older sister Mary (later Goddé) enlisted in the Australian Army together. After attending basic training together Irene was posted to administration and Mary to transportation. Irene Pye served in a number of administrative positions before being discharged on 11 February 1947.

Following the war Irene Pye established herself in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, and worked for the Commonwealth Government at the Australian Taxation Office. She married James Henry Heywood (1922-1963) a serviceman she met during the war on 5 October 1948. They had five children. After her husband’s death, Heywood called upon the skills she obtained during war to help raise her children.

A member of the AWAS Association of Victoria she attends functions, reunions and keeps in contact with other members of her unit. Heywood is also a member of the Blackburn Legacy Widows Club.