Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine M.M. for Crete awarded to Lance Corporal S. Markham, Leicestershire Regiment
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4855786 L.Cpl., Leic.R.) very fine

M.M. London Gazette 4 November 1941. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: ‘On 20th May 1941 at HERAKLION, Lance Corporal Markham was a section commander in A Company. The company was in action against parachutists. He led his section with great dash, setting a fine example. Again on 25th May 1941 at Heraklion his platoon came under heavy fire near the town. When ordered to make good some trenches with his section, entailing crossing some 20 yards of open ground in full view of the enemy machine gunners, he immediately did so, the whole platoon following his action, thereby avoiding heavy casualties. Later his platoon commander was killed, and he was left in charge of the platoon. He extricated all his platoon from a nasty situation without casualties, showing great skill in doing so. His complete disregard for his own safety and his fine personal example was an inspiration to his section and later his platoon. Throughout the day he showed great skill in handling both the section and the platoon and to an extent quite unusual in a L/Corporal. Recommended for an immediate award of the Military Medal for outstanding gallantry and initiative.’

Sidney Markham was a pre-war Regular soldier who served with the Leicesters 1930-37 and rejoined the Colours on the outbreak of war in 1939, after 2 years in the Regular Army Reserve. During the action in Crete on 20 May 1941 the 2nd battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment were mobile reserve to 14th Infantry Brigade who were responsible for the protection of Heraklion and its airfield. The 2nd battalion fought magnificently against landing German Airborne troops and kept the perimeter of the airfield intact. L/Cpl. Markham served with A Company during this action and was awarded the Military Medal for the way he led his section on this day and also for the way he and his platoon beat off several enemy counter attacks after his platoon commander Lieut. Fielding was killed whilst supporting the attack of the York and Lancaster Regiment to regain Heraklion on 25 May.