Welcome to Wexford Great War Dead

During the Great War, 1914 – 1918, a large number of men from Co. Wexford fought and died in the conflict which has been described as  'the war to end all wars'. This conflict resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and had dire and lasting consequences for generations across Europe.

In Wexford, the local newspapers of the period are full of the obituaries of those men and women, military and civilian, who died as a result of the war.

Until recently, it was believed that just over 500 men from Co. Wexford, who had enlisted in the British military, died fighting in the land war on the Western Front, Middle East and at Gallipoli. Research now shows this number drastically understates the loss of life for County Wexford.

Due to advances in digital archiving and on-line research tools, we now have access to Naval Service, Royal Flying Corp and Mercantile Marine records, as well as digitised birth, marriage and death records for the period. These advances in technology and research methods allow us to develop a fuller picture of the devastation caused to families and communities in County Wexford by The Great War.

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Where have all the young men gone?


When we scan the Census forms
In twenty twenty one and wonder,
Where have all the young men gone?
Then we remember.  Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

They went to war a hundred years ago
Brothers, Fathers, and Uncles, we never grew to know.
Where have all the young men gone?
They lay at rest in Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme

The Volunteers answered Redmond's call,
When Britain's back, was against the  wall.
Never returned to where they came from
Now at peace in Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

Today crowds who stand and silently wait, for the
Last post and reveille, at the Mennin Gate.
Read men’s names and the regiments they came from
Who lie in graves, unmarked, at Ypres, Mons
And the Somme.

That mournful sound as buglers play.
The Last Post in Mennin at the end of day.
Their memory in towns and villages will live on.
As they rest quietly now, In Gallipolli, Ypres, Mons,
And the Somme.

To commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the end of The Great War  1914--1918. In Memory of. Pte Thomas Byrne. 1900. 6th Bn. Royal Irish Regt. Killed in Action at Passchendale, Ypres. 5th August 1917.
Tom O'Byrne, (Nephew) August 2018.

Died on May 25th

Breen, James

Service No.
11148
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Malta
Other Biographical Details

The 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers were deployed to Salonika with the 27th Division in 1916.

Curran, Michael

Date of Birth
Service No.
4001
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Age
21
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick Curran R.N.R., and Johanna nee Brien, William Street, Wexford.

Mcdonald, James

Address
Ferrybank, Co Kilkenny
Service No.
8189
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Husband of Mary Anne McDonald of Glasshouse, Ferrybank, Waterford.

Born on May 25th

Brien, Andrew

Date of Birth
Address
Lightwater, Kilmore, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
5493
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Age
41
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at the Battle Le Pilly.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Elizabeth Brien née Walsh. A career soldier. On death his effects and monies due were divided among his four siblings, brothers Thomas and John O'Brien and sisters Elizabeth McKee & Mary Wills. No known grave. His name is inscribed on the Le Touret Monument in Pas de Calais. 

Doyle, Martin

Date of Birth
Address
Thorneville
Service No.
40123
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Age
19
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick and Mary Doyle nee Devereux of Yoletown, Ballycogley, Co. Wexford.

Drinkwater, James John

Date of Birth
Address
Hampton Wick in Middlesex.
Service No.
9962
Rank
Private
Regiment
East Surrey Regiment
12th Battalion
Date of Death
Age
19
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of George and Mary Drinkwater nee Timmons of 71 Wick Road, Hampton Wick, Middlesex.

Long, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Barntown
Service No.
17722
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Age
42
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Husband of May Long nee Parle of Barntown. Son of Patrick and Mary Long née Dempsey. Served in the South African War.

Sample Records

Walker, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
63380
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
2/4th
Date of Death
Age
34
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Ellen Walker née Loughlin. Husband of Mary née Brown. 

Carthy, John

Head and shoulder shot in high neck uniform. high forehead and mustache
Date of Birth
Alias
Carty
Address
Green Street, Wexford.
Service No.
18047
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Age
30
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action in Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Grave Reference: Special memorial A.1. Cemetery - twelve Tree Copse Cemetery in Turkey. He signs himself Carthy in correspondence.

Esmonde, John Henry Grattan

John Henry Grattan Esmonde
Date of Birth
Rank
Midshipman
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Invincible
Date of Death
Age
17
Circumstances of Death
Invincible was sunk during the battle of Jutland.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde, Bart. (former Chairman Wexford Co. Co.) M.P. and Alice Barbara Donovan of Ballynastragh, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

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