Mexborough and Swinton Times January 20, 1940

Wombwell Veteran’s “Hat Trick” Ambition

Wants To Join Up

A veteran of two wars, Mr. Fred Markham, of 96, Station Road, Wombwell, is disappointed because they will not allow him to do his bit toward winning a third one. They say that at 64 he is too old —though in his own opinion he is as fit and strong to-day as when he joined up way back in ’99.

“I have never felt better in my life,” says ex-Sergeant Markham, “and I think that in view of my service they ought to accept me. I should not be the only grandfather in the Army by a long chalk.” Mr. Markham is father of six and grandfather of a little platoon.          He has made three unsuccessful attempts to get back into khaki.

The irony of it is that he cannot get work either. There are supposed to be plenty of openings for veteran colliers, but Mr, Markham cannot find them. He finds idleness distinctly irksome, particularly when he picks up the papers and reads the stories of what they are doing “out yonder.”

Mr. Markham joined the Royal Garrison Artillery at the age of 17, and went out to South Africa with the old Volunteers, whose names are on the war memorial at the Wombwell Town Hall corner.

In the Great War he served in France with the 1/5th Y. and L. Regiment.

Altogether he was In the Army from 1899 to 1918.

His eldest son, Horace, joined up during the Great War at the age of 14 and served in France. His youngest son is now serving in the Royal Marines.

Mr. Markham passed out, as a first-class cook, and believes that in that capacity alone the Army must have a job for him.