| Regimental number | 8/794 |
| Address | Yaldhurst, Christchurch |
| Marital status | Single |
| Next of kin | Brother, William Henry Needs, Alma, Oamaru |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Medals |
Military Medal On the 27th September 1916 while the Battalion was in Goose Alley, enemy incendiary shells landed on stacks of enemy 5.9" and other ammunition (about 3000 rounds) left deserted on Abbey Road/Goose Alley Junctions. Several of the deserted shells had already burst when Pte Needs leaped out of the sap and promptly threw earth on the burning shell baskets. At the same time there was a heavy artillery barrage. If the pile of enemy ammunition had burst our strong point would have been completely destroyed with its garrison.'
Source: London Gazette Date: |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body |