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 May 7th

Bartholomew McCarthy

Date of Birth
Alias
Bartle
Address
45 Lambe Street, Liverpool
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Lusitania sunk by German submarine U-20 of the coast of Cobh, Co. Cork
Other Biographical Details

Husband of Bridget (née White)

Canty, Daniel

Alias
David
Address
Ard na Cuan, Rosslare Harbour
Service No.
7562
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Contracted enteric fever in Salonika, Died at Welsh Metropolitan Hospital, Whitechurch, Cardiff following a prolonged illness.
Other Biographical Details

Daniel Canty was Station Master at Kilrane station and also at Killinick station. Joined the Royal Irish Regiment  in early 1915. He married Margaret Bellamy in June 1915. She lived at Ballygillane Big, Rosslare Harbour. Active service began on 02nd August 1915 in France. Gassed near Loos (a suburb of Lille) in August or September1915. Returned to active service and shipped to Salonika on 26th November 1915. He was buried in Kilrane Cemetery, Co. Wexford, on 10th May 1916 following a large and well attended funeral.

Coady, James

Date of Birth
Address
8 Flint Street, Bootle, Lancashire
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
The Lusitania was sunk by German Submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Lived with his niece Mrs Rose O'Neill, 8 Flint Street, Bootle, Lancashire.  Buried in Cobh Old Church Cemetery, Co. Cork.

Doyle, John

Date of Birth
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
The Lusitania was sunk by German submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late Ann nee Hayes and Lawrence Doyle of 368 Vauxhall Road, Liverpool. Born at Glynn, Co. Wexford, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial. Brother Peter also died on the Lusitania

Doyle, Peter

Date of Birth
Address
70 Dryden Street, Liverpool
Rank
Leading Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Lusitania was sunk by German Submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Laurance and the late Ann Doyle (née Hayes). Husband of Bridget Doyle née Kelly of 70 Dryden Street, Liverpool. Commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial.  Brother of John who also died on the SS Lusitania.

Dwyer, James

Date of Birth
Address
252 Derby Road, Bootle, near Liverpool.
Rank
Trimmer
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Lusitania was sunk by German Submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Son of David and Mary Dwyer née Sullivan. Commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial.

Murphy, Matthew

Date of Birth
Address
19 Southey Street, Marsh Lane, Bootle, Lancs
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Lusitania sunk by German submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late James and Ellen Murphy. Husband of Margaret Murphy nee Donnelly of 19 Southey Street, Marsh Lane, Bootle, Lancs. Commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial.

O'Neill, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Lusitania (Liverpool)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Lusitania was sunk by German Submarine U-20.
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late Michael and Mary O'Neill. Brother of John O'Neill, William Street, New Ross.

Quinn, John

Date of Birth
Alias
John Quinlisk
Address
Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford.
Service No.
18143
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Peter and Elizabeth Quinn née Keevers of Ballyduffbegg, Co. Wexford. Buried Peronne Communal Cemetery Extention, France. (Grave: V M 26.)

Sergent, William John

Date of Birth
Address
Rosslare
Service No.
2262
Rank
Fitter
Regiment
Australian Field Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds in the Dardanelles.
Other Biographical Details
Son of Mrs Martha Mahala Sergent, 288 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, later changed to 54 Russell Terrace, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand. Son of Henry and Martha Sergent née Mahala

Born on May 7th

Neville, Martin

Date of Birth
Address
Bannow
Service No.
11537
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Margaret Neville née Roach.

Patrick J Doolan

Date of Birth
Alias
Dolan
Address
511 West 49th Street, New York.
Service No.
89030
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
69th Infantry
Company A
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France (Baccaret Sector)
Other Biographical Details

Son of Michael and Bridget Doolan née Donavan of Maudlin, New Ross. Doolan was mobilised from the New York National Guard in June, 1916 having served five years with the N.G.
He was promoted to Corporal in July 1917 and shipped to France on 25th October 1917. Engagements include Foret Porroy, France, Baccarat Sector; Champagne Chateau Thierry. Survived by his sister Mrs. Katherine O'Connor, 38 Rollins Street, West Lynn, Mass.
 

 

Sample Records

Reville, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
2410B
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Laurentic
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Laurentic ship was sunk off the Irish coast, hit a mine at Fanad Head en route to Halifax, Nova Scotia
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Mrs Teresa Reville nee Butler of The Faythe, Wexford. His father was a shoemaker. His brothers Matthew, Nicholas and Joseph also served with the Royal Navy during the war.

Barron, William

Date of Birth
Address
Ballyhack, Arthurstown, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
2842A
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Goliath
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Torpedoed in Dardanelles by German destroyer the Muvanet -I Milet.
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Mary Barron née Neville of Ballyhack, Arthurstown. When torpedoed, the HMS Goliath blew-up and capsized immediately taking 570 of her 750 crew including the captain to a watery grave. (Enniscorthy Guardian 1915)

Merriman, Edward

Head and shoulder shot in uniform, seated.
Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
3183
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds in Gallipolli
Other Biographical Details

Son of Edward and Mary Merriman nee Murphy of 52 Faythe Street, Wexford. 

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