UCD Archives
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We curate private paper collections documenting the modern Irish State; UCD; and many elements of the Franciscan manuscript patrimony. www.ucd.ie/archives
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![Tom Kettle, Prof. National Economics, UCD, was killed at Ginchy on the Somme #OTD 1916. Amongst his papers in UCD Archives is a letter from J.A. [Cotter] Royal Munster Fusilier to Mary Kettle, giving an account of Kettle’s death (UCDA LA34/418). #Somme100 #WWI
25 October 1916
Dear Mrs Kettle
I have forwarded your letter to Father Felix Burke, who is the chaplain of the 9/R.D.F. He is on leave at present, and your letter and mine to him should arrive in time to enable him to call on you in Dublin on his return journey. He knew your husband better than I, but naturally we all knew him, and as Irishmen we were all very sorry at his death. He did very well at the Somme. On Wednesday he commanded a platoon, and on Saturday, the 9th Sept. he commanded a Company “B”. Our attack on Ginchy started at 4 p.m. that evening, and your husband led his men over. The shelling and machine gun fire was terrible, and the advance had to be made from shell-hole to shell-hole. About 15 minutes later, your husband, whilst sheltering with a Corporal [Normyle], of his own company, in a shell-hole, was struck over the heart by a bullet. The only words he said were, “Oh, my God, I am struck”. He died within 10 minutes. An officer, Mr. Boyd, who took possession of his papers, was killed a few minutes later. Your husband was buried on the spot where he fell.
Fr. Burk can furnish you with many details of your husband which I know nothing of. I have given you the exact account of his death because I know you would like to know it. Corporal Normyle 9/R.D.F., “B” Company is my authority.
With deepest sympathy
I remain
Sincerely yours
J.A. [Cotter] C.F.
1/ Royal Munster Fusrs](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:haa74v4feowinvczksrdivfj/bafkreihvdbaytulhj7f32aujuvrjedfjpgrnlukpybfpslidyf5m4vccli@jpeg)
![Tom Kettle, Prof. National Economics, UCD, was killed at Ginchy on the Somme #OTD 1916. Amongst his papers in UCD Archives is a letter from J.A. [Cotter] Royal Munster Fusilier to Mary Kettle, giving an account of Kettle’s death (UCDA LA34/418). #Somme100 #WWI
25 October 1916
Dear Mrs Kettle
I have forwarded your letter to Father Felix Burke, who is the chaplain of the 9/R.D.F. He is on leave at present, and your letter and mine to him should arrive in time to enable him to call on you in Dublin on his return journey. He knew your husband better than I, but naturally we all knew him, and as Irishmen we were all very sorry at his death. He did very well at the Somme. On Wednesday he commanded a platoon, and on Saturday, the 9th Sept. he commanded a Company “B”. Our attack on Ginchy started at 4 p.m. that evening, and your husband led his men over. The shelling and machine gun fire was terrible, and the advance had to be made from shell-hole to shell-hole. About 15 minutes later, your husband, whilst sheltering with a Corporal [Normyle], of his own company, in a shell-hole, was struck over the heart by a bullet. The only words he said were, “Oh, my God, I am struck”. He died within 10 minutes. An officer, Mr. Boyd, who took possession of his papers, was killed a few minutes later. Your husband was buried on the spot where he fell.
Fr. Burk can furnish you with many details of your husband which I know nothing of. I have given you the exact account of his death because I know you would like to know it. Corporal Normyle 9/R.D.F., “B” Company is my authority.
With deepest sympathy
I remain
Sincerely yours
J.A. [Cotter] C.F.
1/ Royal Munster Fusrs](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:haa74v4feowinvczksrdivfj/bafkreihilinnxl7xc4mwjc472mr4iw25ftfbi6bhxzwxniutoakjny7yqq@jpeg)
Reposted by UCD Archives
Reposted by UCD Archives
