NEEDHAM, Victor James
| Service Number: | 5172 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | March 1897, place not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Redfern, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Porter |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 10 June 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Ebblinghem Military Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 5172, 4th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Makarini embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 5172, 4th Infantry Battalion, SS Makarini, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
The real name of Victor James Needham (5172) appears to be William Victor Needham. After his death, Major J M Lean wrote to the NSW Public Trustee:
‘As requested in your communication of 24th May I beg to enclose herewith certificate of report of the death of the late No. 5172, Private V.J. Needham, 4th Battalion.
I am unable to trace in the records of the deceased members of the Australian Imperial Force, a William Victor Needham, 4th Battalion, probably the soldier above referred to is identical with the subject of your enquiry.’
In the same file Nedham’s parents seek to have his real name, William Victor inscribed on his headstone.
William Needham was born in Redfern in March 1897. He gave his calling as ‘porter’ on his Attestation Papers.
He joined the AIF at Liverpool in November 1915 and embarked from Sydney on HMAT ‘Makarini’ on 1st April 1916, reaching Suez on 1st May and then moving on to France. He had an eventful career, being wounded at least three times and being disciplined numerous times for drunkenness, being Absent Without Leave, and possessing a comrade’s pass.
He died on 10th June 1918 when a shell landed on his dugout, blowing his legs off. Although he reached a dressing station alive, he died that night and is buried in Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.