An Irish Soldier in the British Army 1914-1918: An Unflinching Account of a Divided Nation

Kettle's decision to enlist in the British Army was met with both support and criticism from within the Irish Nationalist movement. Despite his political convictions, he believed that it was his duty to defend the Empire against German aggression.

Kettle was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and sent to France in 1915. He fought bravely in the trenches and was twice promoted for his gallantry. However, tragedy struck on September 9, 1916, when Kettle was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme.

Kettle's death sent shockwaves through Ireland and beyond. He was hailed as a hero by some and condemned as a traitor by others. His sacrifice became a potent symbol of the complexities of Irish identity and the divisions that had torn the nation apart.