Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Pykett, an agricultural labourer, born 1st March 1853 in Exton, Rutland and his wife Eliza Pykett (nee Downs, married on the 18th November 1875 in St. Andrew’s Church, Collyweston, Northamptonshire), born 1847 in Barnack, Northamptonshire. Frank Pykett was born on the 14th January 1890 in Ayston, Rutland, his siblings were, George, a schoolboy, born 22nd November 1878, Amelia, a schoolgirl, born 1880, Charles Samuel, a schoolboy, born 20th March 1883 and James, a schoolboy, born 29th December 1884, all his siblings were born in Ayston, in April 1891 the family home was at Ayston, Rutland. In March 1901 Frank was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Ayston, Rutland, together with his father, a farm wagoner, his mother and siblings, George, a farm wagoner, Charles, a tailor’s assistant, James, a grocer’s porter and Betsy, a schoolgirl, born 1st December 1892 in Ayston. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing in the family home at Ayston, together with his father, a farm horseman, his mother and siblings, Mary Ann, born 1st March 1877 in Ayston, James, a farm stableman and Betsy a domestic housemaid. Frank also had an older sister, Lois, born 27th November 1875 in Ayston and who died in March 1916 in Uppingham, Rutland. His mother died on the 9th May 1919 and his father died on the 20th November 1925, they both died in Ayston. His older brother James died of wounds received in action on the 23rd November 1917.
Frank’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 25079, and was posted as Private to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France sometime after the 31st December 1915. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 8 Oct-18 - MAGNY LA FOSSE sector. At Zero plus 20 minutes the Battalion advanced (being in support to the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT) in artillery formation. “B” and “C” Companies followed the reserve Companies of the NORFOLK REGIMENT and SHERWOOD FORESTERS and waited at their destination in 17.b and d. (SUNKEN ROAD) -?- immediately consolidated, “A” and “D” Companies leapfrogged through “B” and “C” leaving DOON MILL on right and left -?- “A” Company to keep position in support of the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT on 1.3.c., their first line being about 1.3.c. 80.10 -?- second line in SUNKEN ROAD 1.3.c. 10.60. “D” Company -?- approaching level with DOON MILL were directed by Officer Commanding the SHERWOOD FORESTERS to -?- his Battalion and proceeded to hold a portion of front line about 1.10.a. 60.30. “B” and “C” Companies on relief by the 11th ESSEX REGIMENT about 14.00hrs -?- as follows:- “C” Company to high ground South East of DOON MILL about 1.8.b. 80.20. “B” Company to SUNKEN ROAD 1.2.c. 80.40 and 1.2.c. 30.80. Battalion Headquarters 1.8.c. 40.30 in SUNKEN ROAD. The Battalion remained in these positions for the remainder of the day. About 350 prisoners came down during the day, casualties 4 officers (Lieutenant THOMAS, 2nd Lieutenant MARSHALL, 2nd Lieutenant NIXON and 2nd Lieutenant PATTERSON) 100 other ranks approximately. The day was fine, enemy retaliation on the whole slight. During the night -?- -?- -?- -?- were received, but eventually at 03.00hrs 9/8/18 the Brigade Major -?- operational orders and gave verbal instructions of same to Commanding Officers. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 15 wounded. “B” Company 1 killed, 17 wounded. “C” Company 4 killed, 17 wounded. “D” Company 8 killed, 25 wounded.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Pte. Frank Pykett 1st Leicestershire Regt. was the son of Mr and Mrs James Pykett of Ayston . He was born on the 14th Jan. 1890, and before joining the Army on 8th Feb. 1916 was a gardener. He served in France and was killed in action on8th October 1918.
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Submitted by C. Beadman 2011

"He was my grand dad’s brother and uncle to my dad Albert my name is Philip and I live in Uppingham."
(Information from P Pykett, 02/01/23)