James Needham was born around 1891, and baptised at St. Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, on June 17th, of that year. His father John, an Ironworker, was also born in Hartlepool, while his mother, Elizabeth Needham (nee Reid), was born in Scotland. At the time of James' birth, the family were living at No.30, Henry Street, Hartlepool.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at No.29, Commercial Street, Middleton, West Hartlepool, and that John and Elizabeth had eleven children, five of whom had died by the time of this Census. Only four of the surviving six children were still living at home, and as James is not listed here, it is possible he had either left home or was away at sea, however, at the time of his death, his address was given as that of his parents.
