North Derbyshire couple's last surviving grandchild among 42 dies at age of 96

Chesterfield-born William Hubert Ernest Needham passed away after a fall in his garden in Wales.

William, who was known as Bill, was the grandson of Herbert Needham and Elizabeth Brown who lived in Cutthorpe. The couple had at least 94 great-grandchildren, many of them still living in the Chesterfield area.

The Needham family lived in Cutthorpe for generations. Bill’s grandmother, Elizabeth, died in 1927 and his grandfather, Herbert, died in 1935.

Bill spent much of his life in Bournemouth where his family moved when he was a child.

He was a gunner in the RAF, installed TVs back in the 1950s, had an excellent singing voice, enjoyed photography and loved to travel.

Bill and his second wife, Jean, retired to Aberporth several years ago.

He leaves a widow, four daughters, a son, 12 grandchildren and at least 14 great-grandchildren.

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