Kettleby Cenotaph

The stele is dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars. This cenotaph was erected, in 1920, by the citizens of Kettleby.

A small mortar is on display beside the cenotaph. This is a German 76mm Leitche Minenwerfer. It was a 400lb. model with recoil and a rifled barrel, capable of delivering a 1-kg charge a distance of between 325 and 1425 meters. It was also very mobile by using either the built in carrying handles or by wheeling it around like a wheelbarrow, by installing the wheels and two long horizontal poles as handles. The Leichte Minenwerfer was also used to shoot messages to the rear area by use of a special non- explosive message round. They were then retrieved by runners and delivered to the officer in charge. The German Army actually considered trench mortars to be demolition equipment rather than weapons, so they issued them to Pioneer Battalions (engineers).

A ceremony is held here each Rememberance Day. Found at the entrance to the Kettleby Cemetery.