Jerrold Needham was born in Wandsworth, London on 13 September 1924, the only son of Mrs Ada Needham (née Thomas). He joined the Royal Navy as a Special Entry Naval Cadet (E) on 1 September 1942. Promotion to Midshipman (E) followed on 1 May 1943 and on 15 May 1944, he was appointed to the cruiser HMS BRILLIANT. He was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant (E) on 1 January 1945 and, in July 1945 he was serving in the cruiser HMS ADVENTURE. Confirmation in the rank of Sub Lieutenant (E) followed and this was backdated to 1 June 1944.

He was appointed to HMS AMBUSH as the Engineer on 17 August 1950 and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander (E) on 1 June 1952. On 15 August 1952, he was appointed to HMS TURPIN as the Engineer and later to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS MAIDSTONE. He was onboard HMS SIDON at Portland on 16 June 1955 and is reported to have died when an experimental torpedo exploded in the fore-ends of the submarine.

Jerrold Needham of Yelverton, Devon is buried in the Royal Navy Cemetery at Fortuneswell, Portland, Dorset.