John Steeden
| First name | John |
|---|---|
| Last name | Steeden |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 26/05/05 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1924 |
| Submitted by | Vernon Holcombe |
Story
John James Steeden, born John James NEEDS, in Hayfield, Derbyshire on 26th May 1905. Schooled in Manchester until he was about 14 years (1919). Started work at the railway yards. When he was about 17 years (1922) he was caught stealing biscuits from railway carriages. As a result of the perceived shame of this event his Father decided to send him overseas (possibly Canada).
He boarded a ship and subsequently arrived in Melbourne, Australia on the Orcades on the 15th February 1924. Made his way to Queensland where he was recorded as Jim NEEDS in Cressbrook Queensland, where he had another brush with the law and travelled to North Queensland where he worked in the sugar industry, mainly as a cane cutter.
It is most likely at this time, he changed his name, by doctoring his birth certificate, from John James NEEDS to John James STEEDEN and he became known as Jim STEEDEN until his death on 29/01/1983 in Melbourne. With his new name also came a realisation that he should become a more responsible contributor to his new country. He put his past behind him and led an exemplary life from that time on.
He meet Hannah WAKE (born 09/02/1907 at Sunderland, Durham, England) on one of his trips to Brisbane and they married on 30/12/1933 in Brisbane. They lived in Brisbane most of their life, had 10 children between 1932 (scandal, I know!!) and 1951. Children being Eric, Raymond, Margaret, Gloria, Eva, John, Allen, Doris, James (Melville) and Lorraine. His most notable legacy is that of the twins, Eric and Raymond establishing the Steeden leather goods company, the National Rugby League continue to use Steeden footballs.
During WWII he enlisted on 01/07/1941 (QX501057), rose to the rank of Warrant Officer II and served in Torres Strait before being discharged on 23/08/1943. He did rejoin and was with the Army until his retirement in 1961. He went on to work in several less strenuous jobs until his ultimate retirement in 1971 at the age of 66. He and Hannah moved to Melbourne and lived at Williamstown.
Jim died on 29/01/1983 and Hannah died in Melbourne on 13/08/1987. They left a clan of 10 children and over 100 direct descendants who have contributed to the wealth and diversity of the country. Despite the difficult circumstances of Jims early life and somewhat forced entry into Australia he and Hannah adopted this country as their own and never returned to England.