Nat Gould

John William Needham 1868-1945

John William Needham was born in 1868 at Earl Sterndale in Derbyshire, the son of Alfred Needham 1847-1908 and his wife nee Mary Harrison 1842-1913.

By 1890 he was working as a carter, like his father (1), but in that year he enlisted in the Army, serving in the Royal Field Artillery.

He was appointed a Driver on 20 January 1890, and promoted Gunner on 12 February 1890, Bombardier on 12 March 1892, Corporal on 13 April 1893, Sergeant on 15 July 1893, Sergeant Major on 1 March 1900 and Regimental Sergeant Major and Warrant Officer on 20 December 1900. He was granted permission on 17 January 1911 to have his service with the colours extended beyond 21 years until 19 March 1912, and was re-engaged at Seaforth Barracks in Lancashire.

His military service was recorded as being exemplary, and he was discharged from the Army on 19 March 1912 having reached retirement age. He was awarded a pension of 42s per day for life. He had served in the Army for 22 years and 60 days. Regimental No. 77095.

He saw service in South Africa from 4 November 1899 until 13 November 1900 during the Second Boer War, and served again in South Africa from 22 February 1905 until 22 January 1906. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 with Clasps for Cape Colony, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Laing's Nek, as well as the Coronation Medal of King George V. He also served in India from 23 January 1906 till 28 December 1906.

When the First World War broke out in 1914, he immediately volunteered his services, writing letters to the Secretary of State for War and others, urging that his offer be accepted (2).

On 26 December 1894 John William Needham had married Catherine Bratby 1862-1937 at St Stephen's church in Congleton, Cheshire. She was born in 1868, the daughter of Henry Bratby 1833-1878 of Congleton and his wife nee Julia Ann Needham 1837-1903 (born in Hartington, Derbyshire).

They had the following children:

John Henry Needham. He was born on 10 November 1895 at Congleton, and baptised there on 28 December 1895.

Julia Bratby Needham. She was born on 3 February 1897 at Congleton, and baptised there on 18 March 1897.

Dorothy Mary Catherine Needham. She was born on 3 May 1898 at Exeter in Devon, and baptised at Heavitree in Devon on 9 June 1898.

Alfred Edward Needham. He was born on 19 January 1900 at Congleton and died on 8 May in the same year.

Donald Needham. He was born on 30 August 1901 at Seaforth in Lancashire, and baptised there on 14 October 1901.

Harold Halford Harrison Needham. He was born on 1 February 1905 at Lostock Graham near Northwich in Cheshire, and baptised there on 18 February 1905. He became an insurance clerk.

Signature in 1911 on application to extend his service

Their father John William Needham died on 15 August 1945 at Holford Villas, Lostock Graham.

Probate of his Will was granted on 11 December 1945 to his son Harold Halford Harrison Needham (3).

His wife Catherine Needham nee Bratby had predeceased him in 1937.

Physical description in 1912

Letter 1914 again urging acceptance of his offer to serve

"The Club House,
Hoylake,
Birkenhead

Sir,

Lord Kitchener is asking, through the Press, for N.C.O. instructors; surely a pensioned Warrant Officer, 47 years of age, who the Government has a claim upon, until he attains the age of 55 years, would be useful in these anxious times.

Again I beg to offer my services for your favourable consideration ... This is for the third time ...

I remain,
Yours obediently,
J.W. Needham,
Late Sergt Major, (Warrant Officer),
Royal F[iel]d Art[iller]y. "

(1) In his surviving military record he gave his next-of-kin as being his father Alfred Needham and his sister Rachel Needham, both of Upper Dale Street, Hulme in Manchester. When he married in 1894 this entry was deleted and the name of his wife substituted as next-of-kin: The National Archives: British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920: Military History Sheet.
(2) The National Archives: British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920: Letters.
(3) "NEEDHAM John William of Holford Villas Lostock Graham Northwich Cheshire died 15 August 1945 Probate Liverpool 11 December to Harold Halford Harrison [Needham] insurance clerk. Effects £454 12s 9d." England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1945) page 17.