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.

Born on January 21st

Cheevers, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Campile, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
14122
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Kings Liverpool Regiment
13th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Catherine Cheevers nee Hanlon of Horeswood, Campile, Wexford.

Murphy, Thomas

Date of Birth
Service No.
2634.B.
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
SS Florizel
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed by a huge explosion at Halifax, Nova Scotia
Other Biographical Details
Mother: Ellen, William Street, Wexford, the son of George and Ellen Murphy née Neville. His father was a fisherman. The 1901 Census shows the family at 38 William Street, Wexford. Thomas was then an apprentice.

Sample Records

Murphy, Moses

Sepia head and shoulders photograph in uniform
Date of Birth
Alias
Mogue Murphy
Address
Duke Street, Wexford
Service No.
2290
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Daniel and Anastasia Murphy nee Connors. Husband of Catherine Murphy nee Kenny of Duke Street, Wexford. They had five children: Bridget 1907, John 1908, Margaret 1910, Daniel 1913, and Aidan 1916. Buried at Tancrez Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

Peare, Hilda Florence Letitia Anna

Date of Birth
Address
Killmallock House, Enniscorthy
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At the Military Hospital, Seymour Park, Manchester. Severe attack of Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever) contracted while she was nursing the sick and wounded of the fighting forces
Other Biographical Details

Daughter of Robert Hawtry and Alice Maud Peare née Sutherland, Kilmallock House, Enniscorthy. Estimated year of birth: 1894

Bishop, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
4498
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine Bishop née Hayden, Castlebridge. Later resided in Hayestown, Co. Wexford. Killed in Flanders, Second Battle of Ypres (22 April-25 May, 1915) in which 1st Royal Irish Regiment, serving in 27th Division, were a part.

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