Samuel Dempster was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland to Robert and Margaret Dempster. He came to Canada landing in Montreal in 1930.
He was working as a construction superintendent for the Canadian Comstock Company when he enrolled in Toronto, Ontario in June 1940 and was taken on strength of the 2nd Pioneer Battalion as a Sapper. He was 40 years old at the time and had previously served in the Black Watch of Canada (Montreal, Quebec) and the Highland Light Infantry of Canada (London, Ontario). By August, he was in Camp Borden and likely based on previous experience, had been promoted to Acting Sergeant. He was shipped to the United Kingdom that same month.
Samuel completed an Inglis Bridge Course in November 1941 and was appointed CSM and confirmed in the rank of sergeant. At that time, the 2nd Pioneer Battalion provided engineer support to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in the UK. During his training in 1941, he qualified as a Miner’s Helper Group ‘C’, Pioneer Group ‘C’ and Draughtsman’s Helper Group ‘C’. He was posted to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company in February 1942. He was Italy in January 1944.
When the advance to the Metauro River began on 25 August, the unit was busy pipe-piling for bridges on the advance routes. On September 1st, he was part of Major Taylor’s party was making a reconnaissance of in Pesaro, on the Polish front. Pesaro had been reported clear of enemy and the party received no updates when they passed through the Polish troops. While Captain J.M. Thompson, the other member of the party, was turning their jeep around, Taylor and Dempster were killed in an ambush when they went forward to make a final check of the area. Thompson managed to escape. Their bodies were discovered by the Padre of the Household Cavalry.
Samuel Dempster was the He was 44 when he was killed and is buried in the Ancona Commonwealth Cemetery.