8th December 2015 Walter Kettle Walter was born in Bourne Lincolnshire in 1896. His parents were William & Sophia (nee Faulkner) Kettle. His father was a cottager in South Bourne Fen and later a farmer in Austerby Bourne. In 1901 he was at home with his parents, older brother and younger sister. In 1907 his brother Joseph had died age 15. In 1911 Walter and his sister were living in Stamford with their uncle, Jackson Faulkner, and his family at 34 Adelaide Street. His uncle was a blacksmith at an agricultural implement company. Walter was a groom (domestic). When he enlisted on 15th March 1915 he was a shoeing smith and had returned to Bourne, living at 28 Abbey Road. Private Kettle (Reg. No. 6515) enlisted in Stamford joining the Army Service Corps. He joined in Woolwich. He was tested on his shoeing skills and declared proficient. On 1st May 1915 he transferred to the Royal Field Artillery. His first posting was 10th May. He left for France on the 24th May 1915. He reached the rank of Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery and was awarded the British (1920), Victory (1921) and 14-15 Star (1920) medals. When he returned home his address was 26 Eastgate, Bourne. In 1923 he married Charlotte A Frisby-Boor. Charlotte died on 11th January 1966. In the National Probate record Charlotte bequeathed her effects to husband Walter Kettle, a retired blacksmith. They were then living at 79 Rothesay Avenue, Lenton, Nottingham. Walter died in September 1989.