Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with 3 x clasps, 'Natal', 'Orange Free State' & 'Transvaal' (1533 Pte. S. Dempsey, 1: Bord: Regt.)

Medal(s) & Clasps: No 1533 Private Samuel Dempsey 1st Battalion Border Regiment is confirmed as entitled to the Queen's South Africa Medal with 3 x clasps & King's South Africa Medal medal with both dated clasps per the respective campaign medal rolls referenced below:

- QSA, with 3 clasps 'N', 'OFS' & 'TR': WO 100/186. Dated Transvaal, South Africa, 28 August 1901
- KSA, with 2 x dated clasps: WO 100/332. Dated Plymouth, 22 December 1902. Shown under remarks as 'Discharged Time Expired'

Samuel Dempsey, the third son of John Dempsey (a Collier) & Ann Dempsey, was a native of, Wigan, Lancashire, England, where he was born circa 1868. By the time of the compilation of the National Census for England & Wales in 1881, Samuel's mother was a 'Widow', with the Dempsey family, including Samuel and his 5 x siblings, residing at 17 Dean Street, Wigan. Samuel attested for service with the British Army at Burnley, Lancashire, on, 'New Year Day' 1 January 1886, on which date he was posted to the Border Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, Samuel claimed to be 18 years of age, and had been prior employed as a Collier. Samuel subsequently served his entire military service with the regular battalions of the Border Regiment. By the time he took his final discharge from the British Army on 17 August 1902. In total Samuel served 16 years 229 reckonable service towards pension, including service in below following locations:

- Home: 01/01/86 - 08/10/88 (2 years 281 days)
- India: 09/11/88 - 04/01/90 (1 year 88 days)
- Burma: 05/01/90 - 19/10/90 (288 days)
- India: 20/10/90 - 23/01/94 (3 years 96 days)
- Home: 24/01/94 - 01/03/00 (6 years 37 days)
- South Africa: 02/03/00 - 16/08/02 (2 years 168 days)
- Home: 17/08/22 - 17/08/02 (1 day)

Following his final discharge form the British Army, Samuel returned to his roots in Wigan, Lancashire. At the time of the compilation of the National Register for England & Wales in 1939, Samuel was described as a 'Colliery Storeman Retired', and is shown living at the family residence located at, 21 Holland Street, Wigan, together with his wife Alice A. Dempsey, two daughters and a son. Samuel Dempsey is recorded to have died at Wigan, Lancashire, England, on 9 October 1943

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Condition: About EF

Code: 24926