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 July 29th

Jolly, Andrew Gordon

Date of Birth
Service No.
G/4782
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Sussex Regiment
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Master Gunner Andrew John and Julia Jolly née Jackson of 'St Leonard's' 31 Beach Road, Southsea.

Potts, John Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
33 Upper John Street, Wexford
Service No.
3881
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Catherine Potts nee Brien of 33 Upper John Street, Wexford. Article in The People 1915.

Smith, James

Photo of Jamse Smith as a young boy. cira 1900.
Date of Birth
Alias
Smyth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
12504
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from wounds. Wound to the head from shell at Beaumont Hamel 01.07.1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anastatia Smith née Saunders of Wexford.
James Smith and Anastatia Saunders were married in Wexford where they had three children.  They left Wexford for Liverpool around 1882, where their son Michael was born.  They returned to Wexford around 1885. James was born in 1890.

His Battalion was part of 87 Brigade, 29th Division that attacked Beaumont Hamel 01/07/1916.  This is likely when James was wounded in the head by a shell.  He was evacuated to Sunderland Infirmary where his sister Bridget took care of him until he died 29/07/1916.
James is buried alongside his brother , Michael in Ford cemetery, Liverpool. 

Born on July 29th

Bishop, Walter

Date of Birth
Service No.
3577
Rank
Private
Regiment
Household Cavalry
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Margaret Bishop née Baldwin of Manor St., Waterford. Killed in Flanders, Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May, 1915) in which 2nd Dragoon Guards, serving in 1st Cavalry Division, were a part.

Doran, Daniel

Date of Birth
Service No.
18234
Rank
Private
Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
13th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Denis and Margaret Doran née Foley. Resided with his sister Mrs Margaret Earl at 3 Roe Street, Birkenhead.

McMenamon, Michael

Date of Birth
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at No. 1 Southern Hospital, Rouen, 29.4.1916, age 21
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine McMenamon née Devlin. His father was a Sergeant in the RIC. The 1901 Census shows the family at Ballyfarnan, Co. Roscommon. His father was then a RIC pensioner and a shopkeeper provision dealer. Children were James (17), Thomas (15), Patrick (14), Catherine (10), John (8), Michael (6), all born in Co. Wexford. By 1911 his parents were at Carrickmaclin, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan

Sample Records

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.

Walker, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
63380
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
2/4th
Date of Death
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. 

Esmonde, John Henry Grattan

John Henry Grattan Esmonde
Date of Birth
Rank
Midshipman
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Invincible
Date of Death
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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