Mexborough Times, May 29th
Conisbrough Soldier and Bursting Shell
Private J Needham, Conisbrough
Private Jos. Needham, First Battalion Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment has written to his wife, who resides at 10 Claremont Terrace, Holywell Lane, Conisbrough, from the general hospital, Versailles, France, intimating that he was injured through the trenches being struck by a shell.
He says he was not hurt, but was buried, and thinks himself lucky that he was not smothered.
“The doctors and nurses are very kind, and I am getting on nicely. Will you please send some cigs, writing paper and the Mexborough times?
I enclose some small presents from a French lady to yourself and the children, which will serve as a memento.”
Private Needham was a reservist and has been in India and also went through the South African campaign, in which he was wounded twice, and holds two medals with bars for Elangs Nek, Transvaal, Orange River Free State and Cape Colony, during the reigns of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
Previous to the war he was employed as a drayman for the G.C.railway at Conisbrough.
Writing later, Private Needham, states that he has arrived in England and is an inmate of Lord Derby´s hospital,l Warrington.