Leonard Needham
- Family History
- Military History
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Leonard was born in 1892 in Radford and was the son of Isaac a refuse carter and Eliza Ann Needham née Greensmith, they lived at 52 St Pauls Street, Radford Nottingham. His father was born in 1869 in Radford and his mother Eliza Ann Greensmith was born in 1870, they were married in 1890 in Nottingham and went on to have following children all born in Radford, Frank b1891, Leonard b1892, George b1894, Bertha b1897, Maurice b1899, Maggie b1902, Stanley b1904, Ida b1907 and Walter b1908. In 1911 census the family are shown living at 24 St Paul's Street Old Radford Nottingham and are shown as Isaac 42 yrs a refuse carter, he is living with his wife Eliza Ann 41 yrs and their children Leonard 19 yrs a coal miner, George 17 yrs a coal miner, Bertha 14 yrs a lace worker, Maurice 12 yrs, Maggie 9 yrs, Stanley 7 yrs, Ida 6 yrs and Walter 3 yrs. Leonard married his wife Ann Smith at New Radford Parish Church on 4th October 1913, they went on to have a daughter Elizabeth Ann born 1st April 1914. they lived at 67 Denman Street, Nottingham. Sadly Ann died of Pulmonary TB on 1st August 1915, she was 22 yrs of age, the death was registered by her father John Smith of 73 Denman Street. Their daughter was to die the same year she died aged 10 months on 8th February 1915, she also died of TB.
Private Leonard Needham enlisted on 10th August 1914 in Nottingham, he was 22 yrs and 347 days old, his occupation was that of a coal miner. He landed in France on 27th December 1914 and was wounded with a gun shot wound to his shoulder on 15th January 1915, he was admitted to the no 7 General Hospital for treatment. He was returned home on 24th January 1915 where he remained until he once again joined his regiment in France on 20th July 1915. He was killed in action on 11th November 1915. He is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2.
His eldest brother Frank Needham enlisted on 11th June 1908 at Nottingham he was 18 yrs and 10 months old, he was a coal miner, he served with the Grenadier Guards. On 5th July 1912 he was declared a deserter. However at the outbreak of the war he returned to his unit and on 11th August 1914 he claimed the King's Pardon under special authority order and went out with his battalion to France on 8th November 1914. he served throughout the war was demobilised on 7th February 1919. His brother Private George Needham, served with the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was killed in action on 25th September 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Another brother Maurice Needham enlisted at Nottingham on 4th November 1916 he was 18 yrs of age, he gave his address as 24 St Pauls Street, Radford, he was called on 15th May 1917 and served with the 3rd battalion West Yorkshire Regiment he was discharged on 25th March 1918 no longer physically fit for service due to epilepsy. He was awarded a silver badge 407967 His younger sister Ida was hospitalised on 15th February 1915 a report was published in the Nottingham Daily Express dated 16th February 1915 :- “While playing near Wollaton Park entrance at 5.30 last night [15th February 1915] a little girl, aged nine years, was knocked down by a motor-car. The driver at once rendered assistance and drove her to the Nottingham General Hospital, where she now lies suffering from an injury to the head. The little patient is Ida Needham, and her parents reside at 24, St. Paul's-street, Radford.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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