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 September 9th

Breen, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy.
Service No.
4370
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Manchester Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Wounded while fighting in the Dardanellas. Died at Sea on hospital ship enroute to Malta
Other Biographical Details

The son of James and Margaret Breen née Habernathy of 66 Ross Rd, Enniscorthy. Brother of James Breen (4387) Irish Guards, 1st Battalion, who was killed less than fours months earlier in France during The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915. Husband of Margaret Breen née Nolan of 4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy. Thomas left a window and two children. Remembered on Panel 158 - 170, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Connors, Michael Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Service No.
22338
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
8th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Annie Connors nee Troy of 35 William Street, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Brother of 17934 William Connors.

James, Thomas

Address
Ballycumber, King's County
Service No.
24535
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
8th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Eldest son of Mr and Mrs J.James, Ballinapierce, Enniscorthy. 

Kinsella, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Service No.
4035
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Husband of Bridget Kinsella of Lower Wexford Street, Gorey. Son of Patrick Kinsella. Married Mrs Bridget Hobbs née Gaffney at Gorey 1911

O’Leary, John

Address
Cornaclos
Service No.
27717
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Bridget O'Leary of Galbally, Curracloe Road, Castlebridge.

Purcell, Andrew

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Service No.
16219
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Laurence and Margaret Purcell nee Kinsella of Barnadown, Gorey.

Born on September 9th

Tapley, Thomas

Date of Birth
Service No.
10163 and G/10163
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal West Kent Regiment
10th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Henry and Hannah Tapley nee Black of Ballingarry, Gorey.

Sample Records

Quirke, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Blackwater, Co.Wexford.
Service No.
9822
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at the battle of Hooge, Ypres France on Easter Sunday.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Miss Dora Quirk of Ballinahask, Kilmuckridge, Gorey. Remembered on Panel 33, YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.

Ryan, James

Date of Birth
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
Leinster Regiment
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in France, railway accident
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Catherine Ryan nee Roche of Raheen, Strahart, Ferns. Formerly he was 64994 Constable in the RIC. He had been wounded six times. He was a contributor to both home and foreign magazines, being a poet of a high order.

Sherwood, Richard Atwell

Date of Birth
Address
7 Parnell Street, Wexford.
Service No.
9220 (7220 Pension Record)
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Esther Victoria Sarah Sherwood née Atwell, ex-R.I.C. Sergeant, 7 Parnell Street, Wexford. Brother of John above. Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord) in France.

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