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 October 6th

Jeffares, Richard Thorpe

Date of Birth
Address
Skarke House, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Head Wound, 33rd Casualty Clearing Station
Other Biographical Details

The fourth son of Michael Henry Jeffares, a farmer, and Catherine ‘Kate’ Jeffares née Collier. His mother died 15.11.1895. Father used surname Jeffers and re-married in 1896. The 1901 Census shows Richard and his brother Michael living with their uncle John Jeffares at Skarke House, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Invalided home from France due to measles 14.5.1915. A letter to Uncle John, 10.10.1916, enclosed Army Form W3136 — only to be used if he was killed — for claiming a gratuity for officers killed in action. ‘If I do go West spend some of it on Mick.’ Mick was serving with 1st Royal Irish Rifles. Wounded in action, ‘gunshot wound left forearm severe’, 10.8.1917, while commanding B Company, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles. Discharged from hospital 5 September and rejoined his unit. WO telegram 6.10.1917: ‘Regret to inform you Capt. R.T. Jeffares Irish Rifles reported Oct 6th admitted 33rd Casualty Clearing Station dangerously wounded head. Further reports will be sent on receipt.’ He died that day.

Michael Carroll

Date of Birth
Address
Queen's, New York, USA
Rank
Private
Regiment
US Army
Gas Company 410, Medical Department
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in collision at sea
Other Biographical Details

The son of Thomas and Margaret Carroll nee Howlin, Ballyconigar, Blackwater, Co. Wexford. His father was a farmer. Married Nellie Clogher at Queen's, New York, 13 September 1918.  He was a medical student when he was drafted into the US Army in 1918. He was aboard the troopship HMS Otranto on the way to Britain when his vessel collided with HMS Kashmir during a severe storm near Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Buried at Kilchoman Cemetery, Islay. Re-interred at Queen's Cemetery, New York.

Born on October 6th

Shallow, James

Date of Birth
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Ionian
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Sunk by a mine off Milford Haven laid by German Submarine UC-51.
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Kate Shallow nee Nolan of Fisherstown Campile, Co.Wexford.

Taylor, Godfrey Lovelace

Date of Birth
Address
Grangville, Fethard, Co. Wexford.
Rank
Fleet Surgeon
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Formidable
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Sunk by two German torpedoes fired by Submarine U-24 on New Year's Day 38 miles off the Devon Coast.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Godfrey Lovelace Taylor and Dorothea Marie Taylor nee Bruun of Grangeville, Fethard, Co. Wexford.

Sample Records

Brien, Andrew

Date of Birth
Address
Lightwater, Kilmore, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
5493
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at the Battle Le Pilly.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Elizabeth Brien née Walsh. A career soldier. On death his effects and monies due were divided among his four siblings, brothers Thomas and John O'Brien and sisters Elizabeth McKee & Mary Wills. No known grave. His name is inscribed on the Le Touret Monument in Pas de Calais. 

Toole, Edward Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Curracloe House, Wexford.
Service No.
1952
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
31st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, Courevlette, The Somme in the vicinity of Pozieres
Other Biographical Details

Son of William John and Magdalene Toole nee Thompson of Curracloe House, Curracloe. 

Family Background: According to the memorial article for Edward, in Du Rivigny’s United Kingdom Roll of Honour 1914-1919, the Toole children were descended from families who had some wealth and held positions of regard in their professions and within their communities. William John Toole, their father was both a land owner and land agent. The name of their home was Curracloe House. William’s father, Captain William O’Toole of the 40th British Regiment, served with distinction throughout his life. Their mother, Magdalene Thompson, was the daughter of William Thompson, a surgeon, who practiced in the army hospital in Madras, India, the city in which  Magdalene was born in 1845.

Family Life:  Edward Thomas Toole (nickname Ned) was born April 1, 1885 in Curracloe, Wexford, Ireland.  He was one of 13 known children of William and Magdalene, all born in Country Wexford: William (1871-1952, nickname Barney);  Isabella (1872-1919); Catherine (1873-1955); George Archer (1874-1957); Mary   (1876- ); Annie (1877-); Magdalene (1878-1940); Laurence Henry (1879-1967); Henrietta (1880-1968); Victoria (1881-1963); Archer John (1883 -1963); and, David Frederick Jack (1886-1918).

The Toole family is recorded in Wexford until at least 1888, when William lost his fortune in an investment in which beach land was being developed into farmland. The land was destroyed in a storm leaving the Tooles in financial stress (referenced by Toole-Peet history).

3 other brothers also served with the Canadian Forces. Captain Jack Toole killed in action France. 28.09.1918.   Death and Remembrance: Lieutenant Edward Thomas Toole was killed in action on September 15, 1916, the first day of action of the Battle of Fleurs-Courcelette during the campaign in the Somme. His name is recorded on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.  He has no burial site.

Moore, William

Date of Birth
Address
Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Service No.
10534
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Salonika
Other Biographical Details

Son of Laurence and Anastasia Moore nee Fowler.

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