Albert Pykett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert was the only son of Albert and Lucy Pykett (née Whitemore). His father was born in Nottingham and his mother in Lincoln. They were married at Sneinton St Luke in May 1892 and had two children who were both born in Sneinton: Albert birth registered 1894 (J/F/M) and Lily b. 1896. In 1901 Albert (23) a house painter, and Lucy (30) were living at 92 Trent Boulevard, West Bridgford, Nottingham, with their two children, Albert (7) and Lily (4). However, the family had moved to 66 St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham, by 1911. Albert was still employed as a house painter but his wife was a shopkeeper ('at home') with their daughter assisting in the home while Albert was an errand boy. Albert's mother Lucy died at home on 2 January 1918 of bronchitis and cardiac failure. Her son was killed in action four months later. Albert snr. completed a form for the army in 1919 listing his son's surviving relatives. He named Albert's maternal grandmother, Eliza Whitemore, of Union Road, Nottingham, and himself and his daughter Lily who were living at 32 Havelock Street, Nottingham. Albert snr. probably died in January 1922; the Probate record gave his address as Park Row, Nottingham.
XV Corps Cyclist Bn Army Cyclist Corps. Formerly Northumberland Fusiliers (14044 Private). A number of cyclist units existed before the war, particularly in the Territorial Force from 1908 following the Haldane reforms. However, 'The formation of the Army Cyclist Corps was authorised by Army Order 477 of 1914, which was dated 7 November 1914. More detailed instructions were given in Army Order 478 ... The primary roles of the cyclists were reconnaissance and communications (message taking). They were armed as infantry and could provide mobile firepower if required. Those units that went overseas continued in these roles but also (once the mobile phase of war had settled down into entrenched warfare) spent much time in trench-holding duties and on manual work.' (www.longlongtrail.co.uk) Albert Pykett attested on 16 September 1914 aged 20 years 222 days. He was posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers and served in France with the regiment from 9 September 1915. He probably transferred to the XV Corps Cyclists Battalion in May 1916. He was awarded leave to the UK in 1917 and again from 5 January 1918 to 19 January 1918 following the death of his mother, Lucy, on 2 January. Albert returned to the Western Front on 20 January and was killed in action three months later in April 1918. His death, initially assumed to have taken place between 10 and 14 April, was later accepted as 14 April. Albert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium (Panel 11). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Ploegsteert Memorial (extract): The memorial 'commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave. The memorial serves the area from the line Caestre-Dranoutre-Warneton, in Belgium, to the north, to Haverskerque-Estaires-Fournes, in France, to the south, including the towns of Hazebrouck, Merville, Bailleul and Armentieres, the Forest of Nieppe, and Ploegsteert Wood ... Most of those commemorated by the memorial did not die in major offensives, such as those which took place around Ypres to the north, or Loos to the south. Most were killed in the course of the day-to-day trench warfare which characterised this part of the line, or in small scale set engagements, usually carried out in support of the major attacks taking place elsewhere.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 2 May1918: ‘Pykett. Killed in action between 10th and 14th April, 1918. A willing sacrifice. Pte A Pykett, AC, aged 24, Northumberland Fusiliers, late 66 St Ann’s Well-road. So soon to join his dear mother who died January 2nd. God unite and grant them rest. Loving dad and Lily, also Earny [Hoe] in France, and Alf.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 2 May 1918: ‘Pykett. Killed in action, Pte Albert Pykett, ever in our thoughts, from his chum Earnest (France), Mr and Mrs Hoe, Lily, Lawrence (in hospital).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 January 1922: ‘Pykett.On the 12th inst., Albert Pykett, passed away peacefully after a long and painful illness. Thy will, O Lord, be done.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
