Markham was born into a wealthy and distinguished family of
colliers and industrialists. They are particularly associated with
Chesterfield, in
Derbyshire. Markham's grandfather was the eponymous co-owner of the well-known
Markham Colliery, in Chesterfield. Markham's father served as the Member of Parliament, as a Liberal, for
Mansfield in
Nottinghamshire, another well-known mining area. The family also had business interests in the coal-fields of
South Yorkshire and
Wales. In 1911, the contribution of Markham's father to this key industry was recognised with a
baronetcy, or hereditary knighthood. During the
First World War, Sir Arthur campaigned vigorously for the welfare of young soldiers. Lady Markham also interested herself in good causes for the war-effort, and became a
CBE, the grade below being made a
Dame. Markham's uncle, Charles, was the director of an engineering company, also based in Chesterfield, that made machinery for the mines:
Markham & Co., amongst other business interests. Markham's aunt was
Violet Markham, who used her privileged position to devote herself to educational causes around Chesterfield. Later, in 1927, she served her year as
Mayor of Chesterfield. During the Great War, she turned her abilities to the training of women in war-service and, in 1917, was rewarded with the very high award of
Companion of Honour, (CH). In 1916, Markham's father died, comparatively early, and the title was inherited by Markham's elder brother, who became
Sir Charles Markham. ==Marriage and Beryl Markham==