Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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53217   Private Alexander Dempsey
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Dated added: 27/09/2016   Last updated: 27/09/2016
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth: 06/02/1881
Died: 25/03/1915 (Died of Illness)
Age: 34
Summary      
Alexander Dempsey was the son of William Dempsey. Alexander was born in Glasgow in 1881. Alexander served eight years with the King’s Own Scottish Borders. He emigrated to Canada. Private Alexander Dempsey was serving with the 18th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he died in Canada before his unit left for overseas. He died of spinal meningitis in Victoria Hospital, in London, Ontario. The CWGC record Private Alexander Dempsey as the son of William Dempsey of Calerion Street, Kilrea, Co. Derry, Ireland, although there is no evidence to suggest Alexander ever lived in Kilrea.
Further Information
Alexander Dempsey was the son of William Dempsey. Alexander was born in Glasgow on 6th February 1881.
Alexander served eight years with the King’s Own Scottish Borders.
Alexander Dempsey emigrated to Canada.
Prior to enlisting, he was working as a labourer.
Alexander Dempsey enlisted on 28th October 1914 in Windsor, Ontario with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. He gave his next of kin as his sister, Mrs E Gow, who was living at 32 Mansion Street, Possil Park, Glasgow.
Private Alexander Dempsey was serving with the 18th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he died in Canada before his unit left for overseas. He died of spinal meningitis in Victoria Hospital, in London, Ontario.
From the Montreal Gazette dated 26th March 1915: Meningitis at London, Ontario
Spinal meningitis claimed its first victim among the troops in training here this afternoon when Private Alexander Dempsey, of A Company, 18th Battalion, succumbed to the dreaded disease at Victoria Hospital. Dempsey enlisted at Windsor. Every precaution is being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
Private Dempsey is buried in St Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in London, Ontario, Canada.
The CWGC record Private Alexander Dempsey as the son of William Dempsey of Calerion Street, Kilrea, Co. Derry, Ireland.
There is no evidence to suggest Alexander ever lived in Kilrea.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Coleraine Street Kilrea CWGC lists father at Calerion Street, Kilrea 54.952516 -6.555870
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 18th Batt CEF Details of Private Alexander Dempsey
2 Canadian Great War Project Details of Private Alexander Dempsey
3 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of Private Alexander Dempsey including grave photo
4 FindAGrave.com Newspaper report of Private Alexander Dempsey's death
5 Private Alexander Dempsey Canadian Military documents (14 no.)
6 War Diary 18th Batt CEF Details of Private Alexander Dempsey
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Alexander Dempsey's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023