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 February 10th

Collins, Patrick

Date of Birth
Alias
Patrick Cullen
Address
Wexford
Service No.
43735
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Mary Ann Cullen née Maher, The Faythe, Wexford.

Cullen, John Joseph

Date of Birth
Service No.
20453
Rank
Private
Regiment
Grenadier Guards
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Edward and Margaret Cullen nee Quigley of Ballybrize Cottage, Campile, Co. Wexford.

Keegan, George

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Service No.
23072
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 James and Mary Keegan née Crowe. Married Kate Byrne at Gorey, 7.11.1898.

Born on February 10th

Keane, William

Date of Birth
Address
Broadway, Co. Wexford
Service No.
6709
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from illness while a prisoner of war at Limburg, Germany
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Margaret Keane nee Doyle. Siblings John, James, Mrs Mary Furlong, Mrs Margaret Maloney, Mrs Ellen Power, and Mrs Catherine Maddock.

Mc Sorley, Andrew

Date of Birth
Service No.
9630
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of Robert and Sarah McSorley nee Funston of 6 McAlpine Street, Glasgow.

Oakes, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
24083
Rank
Private
Regiment
Manchester Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in Malta with Dysentery
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Ellen Oakes née Murphy. His father was a soldier. Parents lived at Duffry Gate, Enniscorthy, in the 1885 before moving to Manchester about 1888. Married Betha Mason. His wife Bertha was the sole legatee.

Shannon, William

Date of Birth
Address
22 Michael Street, New Ross
Service No.
21819
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Margaret Shannon nee Grant of 22 Michael Street, New Ross. Enniscorthy Guardian article.

Sample Records

Bolger, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
49878
Rank
Private
Regiment
Worcestershire Regiment
15th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at home
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Bolger née Murphy.
His father, John Bolger (2320D) of the HMS Grafton, died as a direct result of enemy action off Suvla, Galipoli, 12th August 1915.

O’Connor, Thomas

Date of Birth
Alias
Tom
Address
Duncormick, Co.Wexford
Service No.
241768
Rank
Private
Regiment
Welsh Regiment
15th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Ellen Murphy O'Connor of Duncormick, Co.Wexford. Fostered by Tom and Maryanne Moran at Belgrove, Duncormick. After the death of foster mother, Tom lived with Phil Moran and Mary Corish in Duncormick. Left effects to his aunt Miss Mary Moran. Buried (Grave number D18), Fienvillers British Cemetery, Lower Somme, France.

Buttle, Albert Edward

Date of Birth
Address
Templeshannon, Enniscorthy
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
17th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Annie Buttle of Templeshannon, Enniscorthy. His father, John was Director of Messrs. Buttle Bros & Co. Ltd, Bacon Curers and Merchants. Albert was educated in Newtown School, Waterford and Model School, Enniscorthy. Enlisted with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st April 1915. Gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Irish Rifles 2nd Bn. Took part in the Battles of the Somme in July 1916 and was invalided home in January 1917. Promoted to First Lieutenant, July 1917. Was offered a medical discharge being medically unfit, but volunteered again and rejoined his regiment in France on 29th May 1918. A casualty of the Fifth Battle of Ypres (28 Sept – 2 Oct 1918). Buried in Haringhe Military Cemetery.

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