John Kettle was born at 1 Ellesmere Street, South Shields, on the 2nd June 1891, to James Kettle, who was born 1st September 1862 at Bents Cottages, South Shields, a Paddle Tugboat man, who was educated at the South Shields Union Board School from the 19th May 1873, aged 12, [he married a Christine Aulty, {daughter of Joseph Aulty}, born 1867, died September 1938, on the 12th August 1885 at St Stephens Church, South Shields], James [senior], died 22nd June 1948 at Ingham Infirmary, residing at 76 Bath Road, South Shields, and left effects of £304 4s 8d to Hilda Jacobs his younger sister.

They had 10 children, six lived and 4 died, three were born at 1 Ellesmere Street, four of them served in the forces in World War 1. Herbert William Kettle, born 7th June 1889, baptised on the 23rd June 1889, James, born at 1 Ellesmere Street, South Shields on the 6th June 1888, and baptised on the 27th June 1888, at St Hilda's church, Christine Kettle, born 22nd May 1893, William Walderham Kettle, born 3rd August 1895, [not to be confused with the professional footballer called the same name], emigrated to Australia, we believe in July 1914 on-board the Hawkes Bay , embarking at Victoria, and Hilda born 27th November 1896, baptised on the 23rd December 1896, at St Hilda's church South Shields, she married Henry Jacobs in 1919.

John was a butcher with his brother William in 1911, and were residing at 3 Ellesmere Street, South Shields, his younger brother William emigrated to Australia in 1914.

John Kettle enlisted with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, service number 31983 as a private.

In May 1918 John is reported missing as a prisoner of war. He was captured on the 21st March 1918. Just as the German bombardment started the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry were manning the front line, and had been warned about a possible attack. A heavy barrage of Gas shells fell on the battalion positions, especially the support line . 'B' and 'D' Companies in the front line had each placed a platoon in the support line, named Jackal and Leopard Support. John was in 'D' Company and was taken prisoner near Pronville?, on the 21st March and was taken to Parchim. [A camp built on a former cavalry drill ground three miles from the town. It held 25,000 men, with up to 45,000 more assigned to work camps registered there]. This was a Mannschaftslager ("Enlisted Men's Camp") for private soldiers and NCOs. It came under the command of IX Army Corps (Altona).

He was discharged on the 8th October 1919. John was entitled to a disability pension starting on the 19th October 1919 due to a heart tremble. 20% disability at 8s a week. This was later reduced to 14% at 7s and 6d. from the 3rd July 1922.

Research: James Pasby

German POW Camps in WW1