This blog is a companion to the Database of Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Stretcher bearer rescues own brother

Stretcher bearers placing a patient on a stretcher near Ypres, 1918.  AWM Collection

"Mr. J. Markham, Bacchus Marsh, has just been informed that his brother, Andrew, who was previously reported missing, and later on a Prisoner of War, was killed in Action on 11th April last. The detail supplied by the Red Cross Bureau show that the lost soldier was wounded, and rescued by his own brother (Corporal. Steven A. Markham, who was a stretcher bearer) and placed in safety in a dug-out, which was afterwards retaken by the Germans, and it is here that the confusion arose about him being a Prisoner of War. Corporal S. A. Markham (the stretcher bearer previously referred to) won the Military Medal at Gallipoli, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Bullecourt, for his exceptional bravery in recovering wounded men; but his brilliant career was brought to an end at the battle of Messines. Letters recently received from his superior officers speak in the very highest terms of praise of his conduct and general regret at his death. Two other brothers of this family are still in the ranks".
THE EMPIRE'S CALL. (1917, December 1). The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74227187

Details of the three Markham brothers who served in the AIF can be found here.


No comments:

Post a Comment