DEMPSTER, Joseph Henry
| Service Number: | 865 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 March 1915, Melbourne |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carlton, Victoria, 1880 |
| Home Town: | Fitzroy, Yarra, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Storeman |
| Died: | Suicide, Melbourne, 9 November 1927 |
| Cemetery: |
Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton Church of England Section O, Grave 313 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Mar 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 865, 24th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 865, 24th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 865, 24th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne | |
| 29 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 865, 2 Battalion Pioneers - transferred on 5th March, 1916 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Joseph Henry DEMPSTER was born in Carlton, Victoria in 1880
His parents were Samuel DEMPSTER and Jane Elizabeth JUDGE who married in 1860 in Victoria - Jane remarried to Alfred ROWBOTHAM in 1881 and died in December 1926 the year before her son
In 1907 he married Madeline SMITH and had two known children, Ronald Henry & Allan Joseph
He has previously served for 5 years in the 5th AIF and 2 years in the Senior Volunteers before he enlisted in Melbourne on 29th March, 1915 - he embarked with D Coy, 24th Battalion on 10th May, 1915 on the ship Euripides
He transferred to the 2 Battalion Pioneers on 5th March, 1916
Joseph endured many illnesses in the Army and spent time in hospital
He left England on 20th November, 1918 on the ship Suevic to return to Australia for discharge due to premature senility and was discharged on 29th April, 1919 as medically unfit
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Joseph died on 9th November, 1927 (suicide) and is buried in the Melbourne Church of England Cemetery along with his brother, William Winter Treacy DEMPSTER who had died in 1913
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Trove article - Argus Melbourne 23rd Nov. 1927 page 10
Mans Suicide
The body of Joseph Henry Dempster aged 47 years was found early on the morning of November 9, hanging from the bars of a window in a lane in the city. After hearing evidence concerning the state of his health, the coroner Mr. D. Berriman found that Dempster had committed suicide, there being evidence of mental unsoundness
Western Mail Perth 1st Dec 1927 page 5
"AT REST AT LAST"
The body of a middle aged man was found hanging on a rope attached to a window bar in a warehouse in a lane between Flinders St and Flinders Lane, Melbourne , recently
Leo Gittens who first saw him, thought he was merely standing near the window, but as the man did not move when Gittens was about to open a door, he was shocked on discovering that the man was dead.
Constable Deveney cut the body down. The feet of the dead man were only 3 inches from the ground.
In his pocket were his collar & tie, a portrait of himself in soldiers uniform, and the following note:
"AT REST AT LAST"
"Come unto me all ye that are weary & heavy laden, and I will give you rest - Soldiers Farewell"
In the pocket was also a war pension certificate in the name of Joseph Henry Dempster, Highett St, Richmond.
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