| Regimental number | 2547 |
| Place of birth | Belfast, Co Antrim, Ireland |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Miner |
| Address | Pine Creek, Northern Territory |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 26 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 168 lbs |
| Next of kin | Brother, Patrick Dempsey, Kilraughts PO, Kilraughts, Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Ireland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Darwin, Northern Territory |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 4 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Pioneer Battalion |
| Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Unit: 3 Pnr Btn Promotion date: Lieutenant Unit: 3 Pnr Btn Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Distinguished Conduct Medal Work near La Neuville on 22 August 1918. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a runner who was sent back to report the situation, was wounded before he had gone 30 yards this N.C.O. at once went back with the message, which he knew to be urgent, binding up the wounded of the runner on the way, and b rought back necessary instructions, having to crawl 300 yards across the open under sniping and machine gun fire. Later on he crept out with a Lewis gun and silenced a machine gun which was enfilading the platoon. His daring initiative was a fine example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 21 October 1916. Found guilty, at sea, 8 December 1916, of being absent without leave: awarded 168 hours' detention. Disembarked Plymouth, England, 28 December 1916; marched in to Pioneer Training Bn, Folkestone, 29 December 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 28 February 1917; marched in to 3rd Australian division Base Depot, Etaples, France, 1 March 1917; promoted to acting E.D.P. Corporal, 4 March 1917; reverted to Private, 14 March 1917; marched out to unit, 15 March 1917; taken on strength of 3rd Pioneer Bn, 16 March 1917. Found guilty, 28 March 1917, of disobeying a lawful command given by a Superior Officer: awarded forfeiture of 14 days' pay. To be temporary Corporal Vice, 28 July 1917; promoted to Corporal Vice, 10 August 1917; appointed Lance Sergeant, 30 September 1917; promoted to Temporary Sergeant, 15 October 1917; on leave to Paris, 19 October 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 29 October 1917; reverted to Lance Sergeant, 15 December 1917; marched out to Pioneer School, Rouen, 30 December 1917; promoted to Sergeant, 1 January 1918; rejoined unit from Pioneer School, 26 January 1918. Wounded in action, admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to 55th Casualty Clearing Station, 25 May 1918 (gas poisoning); discharged to duty and rejoined unit in the field, 8 June 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 8 September 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 26 September 1918. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 8 August 1918, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, in that he single-handed attacked an Enemy Machine Gun, which was interfering with his Platoon. Selected to attend a Cadet Course in Communication, England, 20 October 1918; marched in to Folkestone, England, 23 October 1918; appointed a Cadet, Australian Headquarters, London, 8 November 1918; appointed Sergeant, 6 January 1919; proceeded overseas to France, 22 January 1919; marched in to Australian Infantry Base Depot, Havre, France, 24 January 1919; marched out to 3rd Division Reinforcements Wing, 25 January 1919; rejoined 3rd Pioneer Bn in the field, 26 January 1919; to be Lieutenant, 6 April 1919; marched in to Australian General Base Depot, Havre, 24 April 1919; marched out to England, 9 May 1919; marched in to No 3 Group, Codford, England, 10 May 1919. Commenced return to Australian on board HT 'Prinz Ludwig', 10 July 1919; disembarked Sydney, 8 September 1919; appointment terminated, 19 September 1919. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, DEMPSEY Stephen |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
