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.

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 November 3rd

Coy, Charles

Date of Birth
Service No.
20343
Rank
Regiment
3rd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Hugh and Mary Coy nee Wilcox of 27 Douglas Road, Derby Road, Nottingham.

Grace, Mike

Date of Birth
Address
Oklahoma, USA
Service No.
3111918
Rank
Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed at St Mihiel, France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Michael and Mary Grace, Cullenstown, Co. Wexford.

Shore, James

Date of Birth
Address
Courtnacuddy
Service No.
1770
Rank
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from wounds received in France
Other Biographical Details
Son of Patrick and Johanna Shore née Doyle . Husband of Mary Shore née Leary of Courtnacuddy.

Cooper, John

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
7571
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Cooper née Warren of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Brother of 2273 Michael Cooper.

Bishop, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
4498
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine Bishop née Hayden, Castlebridge. Later resided in Hayestown, Co. Wexford. Killed in Flanders, Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May, 1915) in which 1st Royal Irish Regiment, serving in 27th Division, were a part.

Dempsey, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
5752A
Rank
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
HMS Goliath was torpedoed in the Dardanelles
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Dempsey of Bride St, Wexford.