Name
Frank Needle
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/03/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Stoker 1st Class
K/11100
Royal Navy
H.M.S. Paragon
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Panel 26.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Emily Lavinia (nee SCARLETT) NEEDLE of Bloxham, Oxon, and the late Perry [or Charles James ?] NEEDLE.
His parents married 2 November 1876 at St Kenelm’s, Enstone, Oxon. Perry died 1899 in Watford aged 46, and was buried 11 August in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Emily died 1938 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 5 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Frank was born 18 March 1892 in Bloxham or Banbury, Oxon, and baptised 8 May 1892 at St Mary’s, Bloxham. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 9 January 1899 to 26 July 1904; he was awarded a bronze medal 10 February 1903 for four years’ attendance.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a grocer’s assistant aged 19, he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and three siblings.
He originally enlisted 19 April 1911 for 12 years: a grocer’s assistant, 5’3″ tall, as a Stoker II Class, his first ship being H.M.S. Victory II. He was aboard H.M.S. Venus when promoted to Stoker I Class 12 September 1912, and served on many ships before joining H.M.S. Paragon 26 May 1916.
Wartime Service
He was killed or died as a direct result of enemy action whilst attempting to fight off a German squadron; Paragon was torpedoed and sunk. His body was not recovered for burial; his mother of Watford was notified of his death.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and Star medals.
Additional Information
There is an article about Frank in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 31 March 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 16 March 1918 and 22 March 1919. Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
