Lewis Needham
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Lewis was born at Arnold in 1880, the son of Thomas and Jane Needham (nee Brightmore) of 49 Front Street, Arnold, Nottingham. His father was a Head Bricklayer, with a family of five sons and one daughter. In the 1911 census we see that he is is now married to Sarah Ann he states they have been married for six years both he and his wife are 31 years of age and he is employed as carter - cab proprietor and coal merchant. They have a daughter Ethel Jane born March 1907 and live at 32 High Street, Arnold. At the time of his death the family are living at 29 Burford Street, Arnold
Private Lewis Needham on the 11th October 1915 enlisted at Nottingham, into the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in France with the 61st Field Ambulance. He gives his age on his attestation as 36 years and 4 months and his address as 29 Burford St, Arnold and gives his occupation as horse keeper. He serves on home duties until he is sent to France landing at Boulogne on 4th August 1917 where he is posted to the Cyclist base Depot on the 6th . He died from Pneumonia on the 11th May 1918 when aged 38 years. He is buried in Ligny- St. Flocher British Cemetery, Averdoingt, France.
In October 1918 his wife received notification from the pensions department that she had been awarded a pension of 25 shillings and 5 pence a week dated from the 10th November 1918 for her and her daughter Death notices published 16th May 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “NEEDHAM. – Died, pneumonia, May 11th, 1918, Pte. L. Needham, R.A.M.C., aged 38, of Arnold. The journey done, the rest begun, the day of death now ended, to life above, on wings of love, the freed one hath ascended. Our tears must fall at loss of all that time cannot restore us, but to the skies we'll lift our eyes and think of what's before us. – Sorrowing wife and daughter. “NEEDHAM. – Died abroad, May 11th, our dearly loved brother, Pte. L. Needham, R.A.M.C. Sweet memories will linger while life shall last. – Sorrowing sister and brother, Emma and Billy. “NEEDHAM. – Died abroad, May 11th, our dearly loved brother, Pte. L. Needham, R.A.M.C. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – Sorrowing sister, brother, Lizzie, Frank.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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