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.

Born on October 13th

Pinnions, Thomas

Date of Birth
Service No.
27176
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Age
29
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Jane Pinnions nee Barker of Hollyfort, Gorey.

Sample Records

Nolan, Aiden

Date of Birth
Address
John Street, Enniscorthy
Service No.
9454
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Age
29
Circumstances of Death
Died from sarcoma at King George V Military Hospital, Dublin.
Other Biographical Details
Son of Matthew and Bridget Nolan née Carroll. His address at death was John Street, Enniscorthy. Brother of John and Michael Nolan below

Holligan, John

Date of Birth
Address
Widnes, Lancashire
Service No.
10613
Rank
Private
Regiment
South Lancashire Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Age
38
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of John Holligan. Married Mary Moorhouse, at Enniscorthy, 9 January 1904. Previously served with the Royal Irish Regiment. His widow was later Mrs Mary Tyghe.

Collins, Francis John

Date of Birth
Address
Taney, Wexford
Rank
Lt. Commander
Regiment
Royal Indian Marines
Date of Death
Age
37
Circumstances of Death
Killed by accident in Discharge of his duty on the river Tigris.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Bernard J. and Teresa M.Collins of 6 Beresford Terrace, Ferrybank, Arklow, Co.Wicklow.

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