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 November 11th

Doyle, John

Service No.
4373
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action at Houplines, Armentieres, France
Other Biographical Details

Husband of Ellen Doyle

Born on November 11th

Byrne, James

Date of Birth
Address
Gorseinon, Glam.
Service No.
53948
Rank
Private
Regiment
Welsh Regiment
15th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action near Ypres, Flanders just before the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Edward and Catherine Byrne née Karney.

Codd, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Enniscorthy
Service No.
6621
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Nicholas Codd of Milehouse, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Collins, Francis John

Date of Birth
Address
Taney, Wexford
Rank
Lt. Commander
Regiment
Royal Indian Marines
Date of Death
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.

Conroy, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Paddington, Middx
Service No.
23045
Rank
Sapper
Regiment
Royal Engineers
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Widow Mrs Margaret Scales (formerly Conroy) at 8 City Road, Lakenham, Norwich, Norfolk.

Cosgrave, Jeremiah

Date of Birth
Service No.
17962
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Cosgrave of Galbally, Bree, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Daly, Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
New Ross
Service No.
2130
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from rheumatic fever at Fermoy Military Hospital, Co. Cork.
Other Biographical Details

Born in 1894, the son of Thomas and Bridget Daly nee Connolly, Irishtown, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Brother of 1986 James J. Daly.

Dobbs, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
7024
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John Dobbs of Duffry Gate, Enniscorthy. Husband of Elizabeth Goff of Francis Row, Enniscorthy.

Donohoe, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Hammersmith, London
Service No.
3056
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Julie Donohoe. Husband of Agnes Juliana Donohoe of Hammersmith, London.

Doyle, Christopher

Date of Birth
Service No.
7696
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Accidentally killed in London
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas Doyle. Sister Bridget Eastwood at 8 Sackville Place, Dublin.

Doyle, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
29628
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in Singapore from malaria
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Jane Doyle of John Street, Wexford.

Sample Records

Dowse, William Arthur Clarence

Date of Birth
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action, Somme, France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Dr. Thomas James and Katherine Elizabeth Dowse nee Trouton of 14 Lower George Street, Wexford. 

Symes, Thomas Arthur

Date of Birth
Address
Cross Patrick, Tinehely, Co.Wicklow
Service No.
14228
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Dysentry at the Austrailian Hospital, Mudros, Greece.
Other Biographical Details

Seventh Son of Sandham John and Catherine Chamney Symes nee Swan of 'Hill View', Tinahely, Co.Wicklow. Educated privately Thomas was a bank clerk with Bank of Ireland. Buried in Portianos Military Cemetery, Greece. (Grave: I B 37)

Kenealy VC, William Stephen

Date of Birth
Address
Ashton - in - Marketfield, Lancs
Service No.
1809
Rank
Lance Sergeant
Regiment
Lancashire Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds Gallipoli. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine on 28 June 1915 and died the next day.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Colour-Sergeant John & Margaret Kenealy nee Davis, Bolton Rd. Ashton - in - Marketfield, Lancs. Born 38 Parnell Street, Wexford. Kenealy is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

On 25th April, 1915, three companies, and the Headquarters of the 1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Capt. Willis, Serjt. Richards, and Pte. Kenealy have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.

— The London Gazette (No. 29273), 24 August 1915

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