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 July 3rd

Cosgrave, Daniel Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Glen View, Swords, Co. Dublin
Service No.
12993
Rank
Acting Corporal
Regiment
South Lancashire Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Anastasia Cosgrave nee Hayes, Oylegate, Co. Wexford. Husband of Mary Ellen Cosgrave nee Gough of 7 Newgrove Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin. She later resided at 23 Great Brunswick Street, Dublin.

Handrick, James

Date of Birth
Alias
James Hanrick
Address
The Maudlins, New Ross.
Service No.
16355
Rank
Private
Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
11th Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of the John and Elizabeth Handrick née Whitty, Maudlins, New Ross. Buried in Lonsdale Military Cemetary, Athuile, France. (Ref: VI.2.6)

Born on July 3rd

Hogan, Charles Walter

Date of Birth
Service No.
K.15099
Rank
Stoker
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Indefatigable
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick and Margaret Hogan nee Burke, 24 Cumberland Street, Devonport. His father, born in Limerick, was Colour-Sergeant in 3rd Royal Irish Regiment, his mother was born in India. By 1901 his father was a wharf labourer residing at 33 King Street, Devonport. Children were Mary (13), Gladys (11), Patrick (7), Charles (5), Margaret (3), and Annie (9 months).

Sample Records

Cullimore, Joseph Albert

Date of Birth
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
8th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Joseph Albert and Elizabeth Teresa Cullimore nee Harpur of Clarence House, Wexford. Grandson of Moses Harpur, 57 South Main Street, Wexford. Brother of George Henry Cullimore.

Brehon, Richard Colles

Date of Birth
Address
14 Newtown or Commons, New Ross
Service No.
114383
Rank
Private
Regiment
Canadian Mounted Rifles
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders. Killed at the Battle of Mont Sorrel (Battle of Hill 62, 2 to 13 June 1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard Colles and Anne Brehon, listed in 1901 Census in New Ross, Co. Wexford, as a gentleman farmer and a member of the Irish Church.

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