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.

About

The Records

About

Contact Us

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 April 10th

Edwards, John

Address
Wexford
Service No.
42892
Rank
Private
Regiment
Northumberland Fusiliers
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Formerly served as 17936 in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Sister Mrs M. Ryan, 5 Primrose Square, Cork.

Walsh, Thomas

Date of Birth
Service No.
J.30975
Rank
Signaller
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Magic
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed by an explosion
Other Biographical Details
The son of Richard and Jessie Maria Walsh née Hicks. Father: Richard, Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin. His father, born in Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, was Colour-Sergeant, 3rd Royal Irish Regiment. The 1901 Census shows the family at 6 Upper King Street, Wexford. Children were Violet Bridget (12), Richard (4), Thomas (2), and Edward (3 months).

Born on April 10th

Condon, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
2281
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Moses and Alice Condon nee Hogan, Taghmon, Co. Wexford.

McLennan, Farquhar John

Date of Birth
Rank
2nd Lieutenant
Regiment
Gordon Highlanders
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at Gillemont
Other Biographical Details

Son of John McLennan of Killough House, Bray, Co.Wicklows Son of John and Emily Jane McLennan née Heatley

Peare, Hilda Florence Letitia Anna

Date of Birth
Address
Killmallock House, Enniscorthy
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At the Military Hospital, Seymour Park, Manchester. Severe attack of Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever) contracted while she was nursing the sick and wounded of the fighting forces
Other Biographical Details

Daughter of Robert Hawtry and Alice Maud Peare née Sutherland, Kilmallock House, Enniscorthy. Estimated year of birth: 1894

Sample Records

Whitford, Myles

Date of Birth
Address
Templeshannon, Enniscorthy
Rank
2nd Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary E. Whitford nee Donohoe of Enniscorthy.

Leach, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
K/11874
Rank
Petty Officer Stoker
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Rocket
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Accidental drowning, passenger, SS Great Western
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Kate Leach nee Ryan. His father was a labourer. His gallantry medal was presented to him by King George V.  He was part of a specially selected group of 100 men that lined the aisle of Westminster Abbey for the interment of the Unknown Warrior. Widow was Ellen Mary 'Helena' Leach nee Kennedy and later Mrs James Heneberry. Left two children. Died from drowning off Great Island while returning to England as a passenger on the SS Great Western. Cause not determined at the inquest but witnesses indicated that it was not suicide. His father helped to recover the body from the river on 24th April. Buried 25 yards south-west of entrance to Kilmokea Cemetery, Co. Wexford.

Barry, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Kilmore
Service No.
52569
Rank
Private
Regiment
Welsh Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action during the period between the Battles of the Lys (3 battles) and Second Battle of Arras
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore, Co. Wexford. Brother of John, Royal Dublin Fusiliers killed in action Balkans 7th December 1915.

Explore the Records