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 16th

Cullimore, George Henry

Posed photograph of a young George taken before enlistment.
Date of Birth
Address
London
Service No.
20505
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in Egypt.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Joseph Albert and Elizabeth Teresa Cullimore née Harpur of Clarence House, Wexford. Grandson of Moses Harpur, 57 South Main Street, Wexford. Formerly enlisted in Royal Innisskilling Fusiliers and no. 5101, 1st & 2nd Batt 8th London Regiment. Brother of Joseph Albert Cullimore.

White, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
WR/215423
Rank
Sapper
Regiment
Royal Engineers
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds received 10.8.1917 at 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester, 16.11.1918
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Margaret Whelan née Walsh.

Sample Records

Carty, John

Date of Birth
Address
William Street, Wexford
Service No.
1656S
Rank
Stoker
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Monmouth
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Direct result of enemy action. Monmouth wa sunk in a Naval action in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chile, South America
Other Biographical Details

Son of Mr. Philip Carty of Trinity Street, Wexford.

Elmes, King

Date of Birth
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Royal Army Medical Corps
attached 2nd/16th Battalion London Regiment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas Samuel and Ruth Mary Elmes née Robinson of Robinstown House, Palace East, New Ross, Co. Wexford. 

Bolger, John

Date of Birth
Address
Kilmuckridge
Service No.
5667
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds victim of poisonous gas in France.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Bridget Bolger nee Redmond. Married Bridget Whelan. No children. Well known in Gaelic and athletic circles. Buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, France.

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