Samuel Needham

He turned back alone and held off attack to save his patrol.

Samuel Needham was born at Great Limber, Lincolnshire, on 16 August 1885. He worked with horses before joining the Army Service Corps in 1914. He served in France from January 1915, was wounded and returned to Britain. After transfer to the Bedfordshire Regiment, he went to Egypt in 1917 and served in Palestine with the 1/5th Battalion.

During the night of 10-11 September 1918 near Kefr Kasim, his patrol came under close attack. Private Needham turned back and fired rapidly at the advancing enemy, holding them off while the patrol reformed and removed its wounded. His courage earned the Victoria Cross.

Before he could receive the decoration, Needham died from an accidental gunshot wound at a base depot at Kantara, Egypt, on 4 November 1918. He was buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery. His family received his Victoria Cross after the war.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when with a strong patrol which was heavily attacked by the enemy and forced back in confusion. At this critical moment Pte. Needham ran back and fired rapidly at a body of the enemy at point-blank range. His action checked the enemy and enabled the patrol commander to reorganise his men. The patrol had many casualties, but successfully got back all their wounded, and it was due to the action of individuals, of which this is the most outstanding, that the entire patrol was not cut off. Pte. Needham’s example was of the greatest value at a critical moment, and the bold and determined stand made by him did more than anything to inspire confidence, and undoubtedly saved a critical situation.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 29 October 1918. 30 October 1918, Numb. 30982, p. 12803