Pieter Voltelyn Graham van der Byl | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 February 1889 Caledon, Cape Colony (now South Africa) |
| Died | 21 January 1975 (aged 85) Muizenberg, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Political party | South African Party and United Party |
| Spouse | Joyce Clare Fleming |
| Children | Pieter Kenyon van der Byl b. 1923 and William van der Byl b.1925 |
Major Pieter Voltelyn Graham "P. V." van der Byl MC (21 February 1889 – 21 January 1975) was a South African soldier and statesman. In South African politics, he was a member of the liberal South African Party and then the United Party from 1929 to 1966 and a member of Jan Smuts' cabinet from 1939 to 1948, during which time, he was minister of Native Affairs.[1] Major Piet (as he was commonly known) was a chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, Honorary Colonel of the University of Cape Town Regiment,[2] as well as receiving the Military Cross and the King George VI Coronation Medal.[2]