David DYKES

Private David DYKES No. 202085 10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
Died 12 November 1918 aged 20

Son of David and Vera Dykes 27 Free Trade Street, Hanley.

David DYKES. Private 202985. Discharged from the army 17 May 1918. War gratuity granted to his widow, Vera nee Gilson 8 April 1920.

Two separate army records have been found for him. Both have been damaged by the blitz over London in WW2.

He first joined up 29 March 1915 19 years and 4 months and posted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Depot as private 26895. He resided at 3 Meadow Street, Hanley with his parents and siblings and worked in a metal works. His father, David was his next of kin. 6 November 1915 he was discharged from the army - Not being likely to become an efficient soldier.

He re-enlisted on the 13 September 1916 and joined the Highland Light Infantry and given army number 202085. He was aged 18 years and 3 months and lived at 3 Meadow Street, Hanley. He worked for six months in Meakins Potteries, Hanley as a potters oven man. His father was his next of kin, then his mother, Vera who resided at 18 Plough Street, Hanley. He embarked for France 20 June 1917, received a bullet wound to his left wrist causing severe damage on 27 August 1918, and was invalided to England 21 September 1917. He was later discharged from the army at Hamilton Barracks, South Lanarkshire 17 June 1918 as being no longer physically fit for war service to his home in Hanley.

At rest at Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Cemetery, Staffordshire.