Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Markham, a general labourer, born 1835 in Oadby, Leics., and his wife Matilda Markham (nee Ludlam, married q2 1860 in the Blaby, Leics. district), born 1842 in Oadby, Leics. Walter was born in q1of 1876 in Oadby, Leics., his siblings were, Tom, a framework knitter, born 1860, Ann J., a shoe trade fitter, born 1863, Susan, a general servant, born 1866, Fanny, a schoolgirl, born 1868, Richard, a schoolboy, born 1870 and Herbert, born 1879, all his siblings were born in Oadby, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at New Lane, Oadby, Leics. In the 3rd quarter of 1884, Walter’s mother died aged 42 in the Blaby, Leics., registration district. In March 1901 Walter was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at 1, Regent Street, Oadby, Leics., together with his father, a domestic gardener, his step mother, Mary Ann Markham (nee James, married q3 1887 in the Lutterworth, Leics. district), born 1847 in Welford, Northants., and his siblings, Herbert, a shoe trade clicker, William, a carpenter, born 1882 in Oadby, Leics., and his half blood sibling, Laura M., a schoolgirl, born 1890 in Oadby, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a boot trade clicker and was residing in the family home in Oadby, Leics., together with his wife Millicent Markham (nee Elliott, married q2 1905 in the Blaby, Leics. district), a hosiery trade seamer, born 1879 in Oadby, Leics. The family home was later recorded as London Road, Oadby, Leics.
The War Diary for today records. Attack at FONTAINES-LES-CROISILLES. Narrative attached.
Action at FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES. The 6th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was ordered to act in support to the two assaulting Battalions, 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. It was decided to support each Battalion with two Companies, A and C on the right and B and D on the left, the boundary between them as in the case of the leading Battalion being ROTTON ROW. The chief duty assigned to B Company on the left was to take over from the 9th Battalion, consolidate and hold the defensive flank covering north and west of FONTAINE WOOD. Battalion HQ were established at N.36.c.3.4. those of the 8th Battalion being in the same place. Operations on right of ROTTON ROW. A wounded man of 8th Battalion having reported that his Battalion had reached the 1st objective A Company advanced at 5.20am and keeping in touch with the HINDENBURG LINE reached a deep trench at T.6.b.1.2. in which were two platoons of the 8th Battalion. This Company with the two platoons of the 8th Battalion advanced soon afterwards via the HINDENBURG LINE to a trench running from T.6.d.5.8. to U.1.b.1.7. On arrival in this latter trench connection was established with C Company on the left and DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on right. C Company then worked across the open on the left of A and occupied the same trench with a platoon in advance at U.1.a.2.6. which was held up in shell holes by heavy machine gun fire. An attempt to bomb down BUSH TRENCH failed. The trench up to U.1.b.4.5. was consolidated and at dusk the advanced platoon fell back into it. A and C Companies held this position until relieved. Operations on the left of ROTTON ROW. The Officer Commanding B Company being killed and Officer Commanding D Company wounded it is difficult to obtain a reliable narrative of events more especially as on this flank there was considerable confusion owing to the withdrawal across the front of troops of the 18th Division. Companies were ordered to advance at 5.10am. B Company advanced to a position at about O.31.d.9.1. when they were held up by machine gun fire from flanks and from a trench about 200 yards in front of RIVER ROAD. They established posts at O.31.b.8.2., U.1.b.5.7. (in ROTTON ROW) U.1.b.5.5. with light gun. U.1.b.7.8. (in WOOD TRENCH) and V.1.a.9.2. These posts with the exception of the one in WOOD TRENCH were held until the Company was relieved.