Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Harriman, a farm labourer, born 1862 in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Ellen Harriman (nee Needham, married in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in the Leicester district), born 1860 in Narborough, Leicestershire. Arthur Needham, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Narborough and was baptised on the 7th November 1886 in the parish church, Narborough, his siblings were, Harriet Ellen, a schoolgirl, born in the 3rd quarter of 1880, John C, a schoolboy, born 1882 and Evelyn Ada, born 3rd March 1888, all his siblings were born in Narborough, in April 1891 the family were residing at South View, Narborough, this being the family home of Arthur’s widowed maternal Grandfather, George Needham, a farm labourer, born 1838 in Syston, Leicestershire and his Uncles, George William Needham, a quarry worker, born 1869, Tom Arthur Needham, a farm boy, born 5th October 1876 and Herbert North Needham, a shoe trade riveter, born 1878, the latter three Uncles were all born in Narborough. In March 1901 Arthur was employed as a stone quarry worker and was residing at Narborough Park, Narborough, this being the family home of his widowed maternal Grandfather, George Needham a general farm labourer, together with his father, a steam roller driver, his mother and siblings, Harriet, a hosiery trade machinist, John, a roadman, Evelyn, George Tom, born 1893, Amy Narcissus, born 3rd December 1894, Grace Lilian, born 1st quarter of 1896 and Gladys Irene, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Narborough. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a concrete trade finisher at the Empire Stone Company, Narborough, and was residing in John Street, Enderby, Leicestershire, together with his wife Annie Harriman (nee Measures, married on the 31st August 1907 in the parish church, Enderby), born 1887 in Enderby, and their children, Grace Lilian Irene, born 25th December 1907 and Adrian Charles, born 30th March 1910, both children were born in Enderby. Arthur was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Arthur attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 22nd September 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Narborough, Leicestershire, his place of residence as Narborough Parks, Narborough, Leicestershire and his present employer as the Empire Stone Company of Narborough, Leicestershire. He gave his age as 17 years and 8 months, his trade or calling as stone cutter and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, John Harriman, mother, Elizabeth Harriman, older brother Charles Harriman, younger brother George Harriman, sisters, Nellie Harriman, Eva Harriman, Amy Harriman and Gladys Harriman, all of Narborough Parks, Narborough, Nr. Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 17 years and 6 months and that he was 5 foot 8¼ inches in height, weighed 119 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and light brown hair, he gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 22nd September 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8374 on the 22/9/02. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) on the 22/9/02. Discharged by Purchase under Paragraph 593 (C2) Military regulations on the 4/10/02.
The War Diary records: 22 Apr-17 - One platoon of “A” Company (2nd Lieutenant WHITCHER) one platoon of “B” Company (2nd Lieutenant J. B. LAMBRI) made flank attack on NARVAL TRENCH, which they captured but were forced to retire owing to their being largely outnumbered and meeting a German counter-attack on the 14th Battalion DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on our left. 2nd Lieutenant C. E. WHITCHER killed and 2nd Lieutenant J. B.LAMBRI missing believed killed and 60 other ranks. 2nd Lieutenant’s C. D. BROWN and N. GEMILL (“A” Company) both commenced going up to reinforce Lieutenant B. T. C. GILBERT on staff 138th Infantry Brigade killed whilst making a reconnaissance for the Brigade. All the officers, NCO’s and men of these Companies displayed magnificent courage all through the operations.