Samuel Needham
Samuel Needham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 16 August 1885 Great Limber, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 4 November 1918 (aged 33) Kantara, Egypt |
| Buried | Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 203329 |
| Unit | Army Service Corps Bedfordshire Regiment |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Private Samuel Needham VC (16 August 1885 − 4 November 1918) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
[edit]He was 33 years old, and a private in the 1/5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 10/11 September 1918 at Kefr Kasim, Palestine, one of our patrols was attacked by the enemy in considerable force, supported by very heavy fire. At a critical moment Private Needham ran back, turned to face a fresh body of the enemy which was approaching and fired rapidly at about 40 Turks at only 30 yards range. This action checked the enemy and just gave the patrol commander time to get his men together again. Half of the patrol were casualties but they managed to get back all their wounded. Private Needham's action in standing up to the enemy all alone did much to inspire the men and undoubtedly saved the situation.[1]
He took his own life, being killed by a self inflicted wound (ref: Mick Brand) at Kantara, Egypt on 4 November 1918.[2]<ref>Death Certificate
His VC is displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Collection at the Wardown Park Museum, Luton, Bedfordshire.
References
[edit]- ^ "No. 30982". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 October 1918. p. 12803.
- ^ CWGC entry
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- 1885 births
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- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment soldiers
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