Private Alexander Dempsey, reg. no. 53217, late of the King’s Own Scottish Borders, felt compelled to answer the call to serve the Empire again when he attested for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces on October 28, 1914 in Windsor, Ontario.
He was one of the first of the 18th Battalion to join.
He would be the first to die in service.
The details of his death in London, Ontario on March 25th, 1915 are virtually non-existent at this time. Private Dempsey did die and he is buried at Section G. Lot 8. 5. at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in London, Ontario, which he shares with 23 other men of the 1st and 2nd World Wars and one Nursing Sister.
His cause of death, is as yet, unknown, but he died far from his native home. His sister, Mrs. E. Gow, lived at Possilpark in his native Glasgow and his father, Mr. William Dempsey, lived in Derry, Ireland.
His 8 years with the Kings Own Scottish Borders appears to have not earned him a rank above Private but an entry in D.O. 118 on March 4th, 1915 shows that he was fined $5.00 for drunkenness. 2 other entries may indicate other infractions that earned losses in pay for transgressions in military behaviour.
This 5’6” Scottish born labourer with a tattoo on both arms joined the C.E.F. and died in Canada before his unit left for overseas. He is not alone at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in London, Ontario.
He is not forgotten.
May he Rest in Peace.
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History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
My great-great-uncle has almost the same inscription on his grave, “Sleep on beloved, sleep and take thy rest”. As I mention in http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/my-tommys-war-an-underage-welsh-brickie-on-the-somme/ this seems to be the opening of a hymn, “The Christian’s goodnight”
David, thank you very much for this link. I also appreciate knowing the source of the quote.