Private Arthur Markham

Private Arthur Markham

2/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

Private Arthur Markham was born on 2nd April 1894 in Amcotts Lincolnshire. He was the son of Walter and Olive Markham and one of a family of seven, having four brothers and two sisters. The 1911 census records the family as living at ‘Ivy House’ in Roxby Lincolnshire, where Arthur’s father, Walter Markham, was recorded as working as a farm bailiff. Before his enlistment, Arthur was working as an ‘Agricultural Labourer’.

He enlisted in Scunthorpe on the 12th December 1915 and was recruited into the Army Reserve. Following his enlistment, he was released back into civilian life until his call up. He was mobilised on the 30th April 1917 into the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (No.31864), remaining at home (Depot) until 1st August 1917.

On the 2nd August his service records list him as serving in the 10th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment when he was posted with the British Expeditionary Force to France. On arrival in France he was located at the Infantry Base Depot 9 and from there transferred into the 2/6th North Staffordshire Regiment on 23rd August, so it is unlikely that he fought with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

The 2/6th North Staffordshire Regiment were involved in the Pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line; Battle of the Menin Road Ridge; Battle of Polygon Wood and the capture of Bourlon Wood.

Private Arthur Markham was killed in action on the 30th November 1917 holding trenches in Bourlon Wood.

Remembered with Honour
Cambrai Memorial. Louveral, Nord, France.