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 October 26th

Ievers, Edwin

Date of Birth
Address
Ballyanne, New Ross, Co.Wexford.
Service No.
205130
Rank
Private
Regiment
Northumberland Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details
Son of Edwin and Annie Ievers nee Valentine of Ballyanne, New Ross, Co.Wexford. Husband of Gertrude Ievers of 58 Ridley Street, Southwick, Sunderland. The 1901 Census shows the family at Whitechurch, New Ross.

Kehoe, Nicholas

Address
Irishtown, New Ross
Service No.
13331
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Grenadier Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Margaret Kehoe. Husband of Margaret Kehoe of 18 Milford Street, Spotlands, Cardiff. 

Mellefont, Thomas Gray

Date of Birth
Address
Riverchapel, Courtown, Co. Wexford
Service No.
2/9887
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, France
Other Biographical Details

Youngest son of Robert and Susan Mellefont née Gilbert. His Father, born in Carne, Co. Wexford was station officer in the Coast Guard. 1901 census shows family living in Riverchapel. Thomas enlisted before the War in Jan 1912. His brother Gilbert served with the Royal Navy and survived the War. Thomas is commemorated on a memorial in the former Mariners Church, Dun Laoghaire which is now a museum.  

Murphy, William John

Date of Birth
Address
Mount Wilson, Edenderry, King's County
Service No.
9213
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Scots Guards
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Brother of Mrs Mary Walsh of Mount Wilson, Edenderry, King's Co. Son of William and Eliza Murphy née Lawless.

Born on October 26th

Leary, James

Date of Birth
Alias
O'Leary, James
Address
Castle Hill Street, Wexford
Service No.
310039
Rank
Stoker 1st Class
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Formidable
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At sea. Torpedoed in the English Channel
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and the late Elizabeth Leary of Castle (Hill) Street, Wexford. Had previously assisted in rescuing the survivors of HMS Bulwark in Sheerness Harbour.

Sample Records

Rennison, Walter Martyn

Date of Birth
Address
The Rectory, Wexford
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
3rd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of the Revd Chancellor Henry Rennison and Mrs Kate Louisa Rennison née Palmer of The Rectory, Wexford.  Formally a medical student in Trinity College, Dublin prior to enlistment.

Monaghan, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
3186
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Elizabeth Monaghan nee Nolan of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Thomas is one of four brothers serving in the army.
Memorial Reference: Panel 185 - 190, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Hearn, Mr. John

Posed sepia photograph, head and shoulders of Mr. John S. Hearn. Trimed mustache, wearing a hat and white button collar shirt with narrow knotted tie, waistcoat and top coat.
Date of Birth
Address
Ruane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Rank
Passenger
Regiment
Civilian
RMS Leinster
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Civilian passenger on board R.M.S. Leinster which was sunk by torpedoes in the Irish Sea, 16 miles east of Dublin, shortly before 10am on the morning of 10th October 1918
Other Biographical Details

Mr. Hearn was involved with the Star Engineering works in Wexford and was also a significant employer in his native town of New Ross. He had been a member of the local Urban Council since 1899 and occupied the chair for several years. He was also chairman of the New Ross Technical Committee for a number of years and had represented the New Ross Division on Wexford County Council for the previous eleven years, having succeeded his brother, Mr. J.B. Hearn. 
Mr. Hearn's only son, Charles Denis Hearn, (C.D Hearn) was serving as an officer in the A.T.S. He was also survived by his brothers, James B. Hearn, Denis B. Hearn, Patrick Hearn, Dr. W.F. Hearn, solicitor, and Col. M. Hearn.
His Body was lost at sea.

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