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 October 25th

Bolger, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
49878
Rank
Private
Regiment
Worcestershire Regiment
15th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at home
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Bolger née Murphy.
His father, John Bolger (2320D) of the HMS Grafton, died as a direct result of enemy action off Suvla, Galipoli, 12th August 1915.

Coady, John

Service No.
20181
Rank
Private
Regiment
Highland Light Infantry
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action in Mesopotamia.
Other Biographical Details
No next of Kin

Ferris, Charles

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
2416
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Mary Ann Ferris née Kelly. His father was in the RIC. Widow Florence

Born on October 25th

Murphy, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
7073
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Mary Murphy. Extract from the war diary.

Murray, Cecil William

Black and White head and shoulder shot civilian collar and tie.
Date of Birth
Service No.
14125
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of William Daniel and Arabella Jane Murray née Corvan, 14 Harrington Street, Dublin.

Sample Records

Stafford, Francis

Date of Birth
Address
161 Iveagh Building, 25, New Bride Street, Dublin
Service No.
14896
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Missing in Action Gallipoli campaign presumed dead.
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anne Stafford née Keegan. Husband of Gertrude Stafford née Moore of 161 Iveagh Building, 25 New Bride Street, Dublin.  Served in India and the Boer War Campaign. Was employed in Guinness' and appears on the Guinness Great War Roll of Honour. His final rank was Lance-Corporal - promoted in the field. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial monument, Gallipoli, Turkey. 

Brehon, Richard Colles

Date of Birth
Address
14 Newtown or Commons, New Ross
Service No.
114383
Rank
Private
Regiment
Canadian Mounted Rifles
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders. Killed at the Battle of Mont Sorrel (Battle of Hill 62, 2 to 13 June 1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard Colles and Anne Brehon, listed in 1901 Census in New Ross, Co. Wexford, as a gentleman farmer and a member of the Irish Church.

Brown, Nicholas

Date of Birth
Alias
Browne
Address
King Street, Wexford.
Service No.
9653
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Sarah Brown née Howlin. His father was a Baker by trade.  Originally joined the 1st Batt, Royal Irish Rangers in 1908 and had served in India. Sent to France in 1914 at the outbreak of war. Buried in strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.  Died one month after Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May 1915) in which 1st Royal Irish, serving in 27th Division, were a part. Served in Connaught Rangers before war.

Explore the Records