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 February 4th

Brennan, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
8310
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Grenadier Guards
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders during the period of Winter operations, 1914-15 on the Western Front
Other Biographical Details

Son of Williiam and Kate Brennan née Sullivan. Married Alice Brooks in 1908.

Born on February 4th

Barlow, Thomas Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Streamstown, Tagoat
Service No.
402818
Rank
Airman
Regiment
Royal Flying Corps
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Missing presumed dead
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Anne Barlow née Duggan, Lady's Island. In 1901 Thomas resided with his aunt Elizabeth Duggan at Buncarrick, Lady's Island. Worked as a farm servant for Joyces of Hayesland, St. Helen's, Wexford, 1911. Effects to mother Mrs Ann Canning of Broadway, Lady's Island. 

Sample Records

Robert Devereux

Date of Birth
Alias
Alexander Howie
Address
6 Patrick Place, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
43210
Rank
Private
Regiment
Machine Gun Corps
72nd Company
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Laurence and Susan Devereux nee Farrell. His father, a labourer, died from tuberculosis 21/12/1901.

His mother married Peter Walsh 10/10/1906. Robert enlisted at Dublin under the alias Alexander Howie as 9468 in 1st Leinster Regiment, stating that he was born in Dublin. He went to France 19/12/1914 and was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

 

Anderson, James

Date of Birth
Address
3 Trinity Place, Wexford.
Service No.
5624
Rank
Private
Regiment
Leinster Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds Battle of the Rivers, at Aisne, October 1914, France
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Ellen Anderson of 3 Trinity Place, Wexford. Fifteen years service, fought in the second South African campaign. Buried in the Canadian Cemetery No.2 Neuville-St. Vaast, france

Kehoe, Francis

Date of Birth
Address
2 Eden Terrace, Kingstown, Dublin.
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Leinster (Dublin)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Ship sunk by German Submarine UB-123 on the way to Holyhead
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine Kehoe nee Murphy, Bride Street, Wexford, and later of 2 Eden Terrace, Kingstown, Dublin. His father was a Dublin Port pilot who predeceased him. Siblings were William, Catherine, Teresa, Ellen, John, Patrick, and Mary Ann.

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