Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Wykes, a granite dresser, born 25th January 1861 in Quorn, Leicestershire and his wife Jane Wykes (nee Hardacre (Harbhagan), married on the 6th September 1884 in St. Peter’s Church, Leeds, Yorkshire), born 1857. Fred was born on the 20th May 1892 in Quorn and was baptised on the 14th June 1892 in the Parish Church, Quorn, his siblings were, Herbert, a schoolboy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 29th January 1888 in the Parish Church, Quorn and Priscilla, a schoolgirl, born in the 3rd quarter 1890 and baptised on the 3rd August 1890 in the Parish Church, Quorn, both siblings were born in Quorn, in March 1901 the family home was at Back of Yards, Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland.
Reproduced is a summary of the content of Fred’s army service documents, these notes offer an insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
Fred enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 13th July 1915 in Montreal, Quebec, and was allotted the service number 457912. He gave his date of birth as 20th May 1892, place of birth as Leicester, England, his next of kin as his Father, Mr. Albert Wykes, -?-, Strathearne House, 22, Preston Crescent, Inverkeithing, Fifeshire, Scotland , marital status as single and his trade or calling as stone cutter.
He confirmed that he had previously served for 3 years with the Garrison Artillery.
His medical examination that took place on the 13th July 1915 in Montreal recorded that his apparent age was 23 years 2 months, he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 150½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 37½ and 40 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was red. The following distinctive marks were noted, 1 mole left side of neck, birthmark left knee, 1 vac. left arm, he gave his religion as Presbyterian.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Embarked. For Overseas Service with 60th Battalion. 20/2/16.
Arrived. In France. Le Havre. 21-22/2/16.
Killed in action. Gunshot wound in head. In the Field. 21/4/16.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 21 Apr-16. HOOGE. Found trenches, especially those held by Left Company in very bad condition, knee deep and over of slimy mud and water. No continuous trench, front held by eight isolated posts by day, 7 men in each, 3 additional at night, covering gap to guard Division on left. Right Company trenches better, but bad; very unsanitary smell terrific. Day quiet. Scout killed, 4.00am also 1 man “C” Company and 1 “D” Company sniped.