Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Pykett, a wagoner, born 10th July 1855 in Exton Rutland and his wife Amelia Pykett (nee Downs, married on the 6th June 1881 in Exton, Rutland), born 1st March 1851 in North Colleyweston, Northamptonshire. Tom Downs was born on the 1st December 1888 in Wardley, Rutland, his siblings were, Charles, a schoolboy, born 6th April 1882, Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Harry, born 1st march 1891, all his siblings were born in Wardley, Tom’s maternal Aunt, Mary Downs, a dress maker, born 1857 in Northamptonshire was also residing with the family, in April 1891 the family home was at Wardley. In March 1901 Tom was employed as a carrier porter and was residing in the family home at Ayston, Rutand, together with his father, a wagoner, his mother and siblings Arthur, a groom and Harry, a schoolboy. In April 1911 Tom was employed as a carrier’s assistant and was residing in the family home at Ayston, together with his father, a farm horseman, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a grocer’s assistant and Harry, a farm labourer, Tom also had an older sibling, Eliza Ann, born on the 1st June 1884 in Wardley and who died on the 14th December 1884 in Wardley. His father died on the 24th November 1925 in Ayston and his mother died on the 6th February 1929 in Ayston. His brother Harry died from wounds received in action on the 8th May 1918.
Tom’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment and was allotted the service number 26897, he was posted as Private to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and first entered the theatre of war in France some time after the 31st December 1915, he had attained the rank of Acting Corporal at the time of his death from wounds received in action on the morning of the 15th September 1916. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7. had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Corp. Tom Downs Pykett 12th Batt. Leicestershire Regt. a son of
Mr and Mrs George Pykett of Ayston, was born at Wardley.
He was a carrier’s assistant before joining up on the 31st March
1916 and served in France where he was killed in action on the morning of the 15th Sept. the same year.
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Submitted by C. Beadman 2011