The Story of the Orphan Frederick Markham

My husband's great-grandmother Elsie Phyllis Markham was orphaned at the age of 8 months. Her older brothers, Albert ages 8 and Frederick 2 years old were also orphaned when their parents succumbed to illness in London England in October and November 1898.

The boys were sent to orphanages and Elsie was taken in by relatives, eventually brought to Canada by her brother Albert Finch who had been sent to Canada as a Barnardo Boy in 1901. Frederick was also eventually reunited with his brother and sister

Read Albert's story at O is for Orphans 

Frederick's Story

2 year old Frederick was sent to his aunt and uncle for a very short time, but a few months after arrival in their home, he was sent to Miller's Orphanage in Bristol. His uncle did not want to continue feeding Frederick and his 8 month old sister Elsie. 

We find Frederick at the age of 4 in the Orphanage, and he was still there at the age of 16. Finally when he was 18 his brother Albert, who had been sent to Ontario Canada as a  Barnardo Child, had saved enough money to send for Frederick to join him.

On 5 May 1914 Frederick arrived in Quebec and from there went on to join his brother in St. Mary's Ontario. His sister Elsie had arrived 8 months before, again due to Albert's paying for her passage.

World War 1 broke out soon after Frederick's arrival and in March 1916 he signed up in the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force). He was 20 years old. He was killed fighting in France two years later.

In memory of Sergeant  FREDERICK ARTHUR  MARKHAM who died on April 7, 1918

Service Number:  823627

Force:  Army

Unit:  Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)

Division:  14th Bn.

Burial Information:

Cemetery: DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY

Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference: VI. F. 64.