Mexborough and Swinton Times February 9, 1918
Double Tragedy
Murder and Suicide at Swinton
Mother Drowned Herself and Child
Sympathy for Soldier Husband
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Swinton woman and her child was cleared up this week, when the bodies were recovered from the canal at Bowbroom Locks, Swinton.
On December 26, Edith Needham, 201, Wath Rd, Swinton, wife of John Needham, former coalminer, now a private in the York and Lancaster Regiment, gave birth to a female child.
The next day Osmond came home from Sunderland on leave (he is awaiting his discharge after having been thrice wounded in action) and denied the paternity of the child.
In December 31 Mrs Needham and the child disappeared. The body of the baby was recovered on Monday, and the mother was found in the water at the same spot on Tuesday.
Mr. J. Kenyon Parker held an inquest at the Free Library, Swinton, on Wednesday. Mr. A. Fieldhouse was foreman of the jury.
Isabella Leesley, wife of Charles. Leeslev, 193, Wath road, Swinton, identified the baby as the of Edith, Needham, 201, Wath road, wife of John Needham, a private in the York and Lancaster Regiment, and formerly a miner.
The baby was born on Dee. 26. The child had been named Irene. On Dec. 31 witness saw Mrs. Needham in bed. She brought her some tea at 6-30. and a little later went up and found Mrs. Needham sitting by the bedside with her skirt over her nightgown. Her baby was on her knee. Soon after one of Mrs. Needham’s children came to tell her that her mother had gone, and the baby too. She did not appear troubled about the baby or about anything, else
Fred Kelsall, 10, Thomas street, Swinton, said he recovered the body of the baby from the canal at Bowroom on Monday at noon. He saw the child floating in the water. He drew it to the side with a piece of wire.
Joseph Robinson. 2, Highwoods road, Wath road, Swinton, said he found the body of Mrs. Needham at one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. He brought it to the surface by dragging. The body was fully dressed.
Dr. S.O. Hatherley, of Swinton, said he had made an external examination of both bodies. There were no external marks of violence having the appearance of being inflicted before-death, and everything, was consistent with death from drowning. It was quite possible for Mrs. Needham to have walked from her home to the canal so soon after confinement. The mental condition of women in such circumstances was liable to instability.
Pte. John Needham, 2nd Batt. York and Lancaster Regiment, 201, Wath road, Swinton said he was formerly a miner. He enlisted in November, 1914. Edith Needham wars his wife, and was 36 years of age. He had not seen his wife from Jan. 11, 1917, to October 5, 1917, nor from October to Dec 27 1917, when he came over on Christmas leave.
His wife told him that the child was his, but he did not think it was.
After the summing up, the jury returned a verdict of “Murder and suicide.” he
The Coroner said the question of the paternity of the child was not one that he and the jury were prepared to go into, but the presumption seemed to be in favour of the husband’s contention, and in the circumstances he felt a good deal of sympathy with Needham.