Private Frank William Wykes

formerly 22555 Northamptonshire Regiment
617761 Essex Regiment Prisoners of War Company attached

	F Wykes in his uniform Born 15th September 1897 at Kettering, son of Henry & Rose.

Rushden Echo, 27th September 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins Casualty List - We are pleased to report that a rumour which had been prevalent in the town that 617761 Pte. Frank Wykes, of the Prisoners of War Company, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Wykes, of 67, Spencer-road, Rushden, was killed on September 15th—his 21st birthday—is apparently happily unfounded. It appears that the rumour originated through a letter which was sent home by a comrade of another regiment who had also obtained his information second-hand. When they first heard the distressing news Mr. and Mrs. Wykes had received a letter from their son dated Sept. 14th, and since then they have received a field-card from him dated Sept. 20th, viz., five days later than the date on which it was rumoured that he had been killed. Pte. Wykes has been 2½ years in France, and was, until becoming attached to his present unit, with the Essex Regiment. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, boot manufacturers, Rushden.

Medal Roll

Henry William and Rose Ann Wykes were both born in Kettering, and had children, Frank William in 1897, Ada Kate in 1899 and Reginald Henry in 1903, Doreen Grace in 1907. Franks’ brother Reginald Henry married at St Peter’s Church in Oct. 1929.

By 1906 the family had moved to 67 Spencer Road, Rushden. After serving in WWI with the Northamptonshire Regiment and the Essex Regiment, Frank returned to 67 Spencer Road.

Frank Wykes married Winifred Phillips in 1920 (born in Winslow BKM). Also with the family in 1921 Henry’s widowed mother Emma, and Rose’s widowed father, Henry Johnson, and Frank with his daughter Joan Audrey born 24^th February 1921. Winifred was away working as a barmaid at the Queen Hotel, Leicester Square, London.

A second daughter, Mary Irene Wykes was born in July 1923, and their son Frank was born in 1926, but sadly died after just 7 hours, and was buried in Newton Road Cemetery, on 25^th March 1926 in Grave D 620.

In 1939 Frank and Winifred and their daughters were living at 61 Abbey Road, Wellingborough. They returned to live at 178A Newton Road, Rushden and remained here.

Winifred died on 25^th September 1971. Frank died 28^th July 1982 and was cremated. 

Neither daughter married, and Joan Audrey Wykes, died 21^st October 2004 and Mary Irene Wykes, died 5^th November 2008.

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