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 March 12th

Coy, Thomas

Date of Birth
Service No.
J.4768
Rank
Leading Telegraphist
Regiment
Royal Navy
HM Submarine E49
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Direct result of enemy action. HM Submarine E49 was mined off the Shetland Islands on 12th March 1917. The minefield was laid by the German U-boat UC-76 on 10th March 1917. There were no survivors.
Other Biographical Details
Mother: Mary, West House, Henry Street, Galway. Parents: Hugh Coy and Mary Willcox. His father was a master wheelright and carpenter. Both parents were born in England. The 1901 Census shows the family at 2 Paul Quay, Wexford. Children were Henry (23), Elizabeth (19), Frederick (17), Alice (15), George (14), Albert (12), Lucy (11), Charles (9), Thomas (8), Florence (6), Gertrude (4), Edith (3) and Mabel (1).

Saunders, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
1441
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Brother of Mr Robert Saunders of 6 Lunt Road, Bootle, Liverpool. Son of John and Annie Saunders née White. Their son Robert was born 15.12.1878.

Born on March 12th

Breen, John Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford.
Service No.
7288
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action in Ypres Salient, Flanders.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Moses & Annie Breen née Doyle of Birkenhead, Liverpool. Brother of Joseph Breen (4660).

Valentine, Robert

Date of Birth
Service No.
J.34061
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Vanguard
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action
Other Biographical Details
The son of Albert and Rebecca Valentine née Montague. Mother: Rebecca: 16 Alglesea Road, Donnybrook, Dublin. the son of Albert and Rebecca Valentine née Montague. His father, born in Co. Wexford, was a labourer. His sister Sophia Rebecca was born at Templeowen, Co. Carlow, 15.1.1898. The 1901 Census shows them at Gorey Corporation Lands. The 1911 Census shows the family at Hatch Lane, Dublin. His father was then a chauffeur.

Sample Records

White, John

Date of Birth
Address
Johnstown Post Office, Co.Kilkenny
Service No.
2695
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at the Battle of Poelcappelle, Flanders.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John (RIC stationed in Fethard, Co. Wexford) and Bridget White née Neville. John was a member of the Liverpool Police (No.351) Force prior to the war. Buried  Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium, Plot VII.F.17

The Battle of Poelcappelle was fought in Flanders, Belgium, on 9 October 1917 by the British Second Army and Fifth Army against the German 4th Army. The battle marked the end of the string of highly successful British attacks in late September and early October, during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Roche, James

Date of Birth
Address
15 College Road North, Blundell Sands, Liverpool
Service No.
6701
Rank
Private
Regiment
York and Lancaster Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Catherine Agnes Roche nee Rowe, Ballycogley, Co. Wexford. Sole legatee was his sister Mary Kate Roche, 67 Empire Road, Liverpool. Other siblings were Walter, Richard, Patrick, and Ellen.

Cooper, John

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
7571
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Cooper née Warren of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Brother of 2273 Michael Cooper.

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