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A Forgotten Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.
82 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 9th July 1940, Sapper John Joseph Dempsey, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company (Reg No-7356), station hand from Blende Street, North Broken Hill, New South Wales and Catherine Hill Bay, N.S.W. (1938), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 53. CATHOLIC 2-61. 8.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139373977 - funeral notice states service.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139370659 - obituary.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167459544 - death believed to be natural causes.
Born at Hackney, South Australia on the 10th April 1887 to John and Mary Dempsey nee Flahavan, John enlisted November 1916 with the Tunnelling Companies, September 1916 to February 1918 Reinforcements at Torrens Island Camp, South Australia.
Admitted to hospital 14.5.1918 (pyrexia), 24.5.1918 (influenza), 6.8.1918 (influenza), 7.10.1918 (contusion of head & hand, accidental).
John returned home July 1919, being discharged on the 17th August 1919.
Nothing located on Trove regarding enlistment, sickness, returning home, etc.
British War Medal & Victory Medal sent and returned 3.3.1924. (John Gillam).
Mr. Dempsey’s name has been inscribed on the Broken Hill Barrier Municipal District Roll of Honour, photo - https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/.../barrier....
I located John resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so April 2015 I placed a cross in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I submitted an application to DVA July 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, and this was accepted August 2021.
I will post photos when gravesite complete.
Lest We Forget.
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