Samuel Needham
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 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
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)Script error: No such module "Unsubst". at Kantara, Egypt on 4 November 1918.[2][3]
His VC is displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Collection at the Wardown Park Museum, Luton, Bedfordshire.
References
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- ↑ Death Certificate
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- 1885 births
- 1918 deaths
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment soldiers
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- British Army personnel of World War I
- Royal Army Service Corps soldiers
- People from West Lindsey District
- Accidental deaths in Egypt
- Deaths by firearm in Egypt
- Firearm accident victims
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Military personnel from Lincolnshire
- British military personnel who died by suicide