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 February 27th

Kavanagh, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
10519
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
3rd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from tuberculosis at Shanahona, Macmine
Other Biographical Details

Son of Martin and Johanna Kavanagh nee Cosgrave, Lambstown, Shanahona, Macmine, Co. Wexford. He was discharged from the army due to illness 14 March 1917. His brother 27704 Private Martin Kavanagh, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died 27 April 1916.

Born on February 27th

Doyle, William

Date of Birth
Address
Grogan's Road, Wexford
Service No.
12975
Rank
Private
Regiment
South Lancashire Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from tuberculosis at Grogan's Road, Wexford
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Frances Doyle nee McCormack of Grogan's Road, Wexford. 

Fanning, James

Date of Birth
Address
Sleedagh, Wexford
Service No.
6029
Rank
Private
Regiment
Leinster Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at sea
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Frances Fanning nee Murray. Married Mary Cassidy 16 August 1911. She died at Sleedagh 12 July 1917. Their son John James, born 27 August 1911, was cared for by his grandmother Mrs Anne Cassidy of Adamstown, Co. Wexford.

Farrell, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Green Street, Wexford
Service No.
4602
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine Farrell nee Farrell, Stonebridge Lane, Wexford. Husband of Catherine Farrell nee Crosbie, Green Street, Wexford.

Moore, William

Date of Birth
Address
Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Service No.
10534
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Salonika
Other Biographical Details

Son of Laurence and Anastasia Moore nee Fowler.

Sample Records

Barry, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
17986
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, Balkans, Salonika/ Macedonian Campaign, Battle of Kosturio
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore. Brother of Michael, Welsh Regiment, killed in action, France 23rd July 1918.

Fitzhenry, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
John's Gate Street, Wexford
Service No.
7110
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Accidentally drowned at Interlaken, Switzerland
Other Biographical Details

Son of Robert and Annie Fitzhenry.  His mother was later Annie Carty of 3 John's Gate Street, Wexford. Member of the Irish National Volunteers. Severely wounded (shrapnel left leg, arm and side) and taken prisoner 2 July 1916. He was interned in Switzerland prior to a planned repatriation.

Reville, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
2410B
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Laurentic
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Laurentic ship was sunk off the Irish coast, hit a mine at Fanad Head en route to Halifax, Nova Scotia
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Mrs Teresa Reville nee Butler of The Faythe, Wexford. His father was a shoemaker. His brothers Matthew, Nicholas and Joseph also served with the Royal Navy during the war.

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