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 October 4th

Byrne, Thomas Francis

Date of Birth
Alias
Francis Byrne
Service No.
29539
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at home, Sheffield.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard & Bridget Byrne née O'Brien of 36 Roe St, Belfast. His father was Colour-Sergeant 5th R Irish Regiment. Died at the War Hospital, Sheffield. CWGC wrongly uses number 29537. Buried in Sheffield St Michael's Roman Catholic Cemetery Yorkshire.

Courtney, Matthew Joseph

Date of Birth
Alias
Mathew
Address
Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
9267
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
Leinster Regiment
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds in Salonika
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick J. and Ellen Courtney nee Roche of Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Grave Reference: II.J.8. Cemetery: Struma Military Cemetery, Greece.

Lannon, Thomas Francis

Date of Birth
Address
Swansea
Service No.
4815
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Denis and Kate Lannon née Rushford.

Born on October 4th

Kavanagh, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Tomcoyle, Co. Wexford
Service No.
3509
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Bridget Kavanagh nee McDonald of Tomcoyle, Kilanerin, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Member of the Irish Volunteers.

Nolan, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Enniscorthy
Service No.
15218
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Article in a Wexford newspaper: Son of Matthew and Bridget Nolan nee Carroll, formerly of Island Road. Brother of Private John Nolan, Aiden Nolan and Patrick Nolan above.

Sample Records

Murphy, Moses

Sepia head and shoulders photograph in uniform
Date of Birth
Alias
Mogue Murphy
Address
Duke Street, Wexford
Service No.
2290
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Daniel and Anastasia Murphy nee Connors. Husband of Catherine Murphy nee Kenny of Duke Street, Wexford. They had five children: Bridget 1907, John 1908, Margaret 1910, Daniel 1913, and Aidan 1916. Buried at Tancrez Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

Symes, Thomas Arthur

Date of Birth
Address
Cross Patrick, Tinehely, Co.Wicklow
Service No.
14228
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Dysentry at the Austrailian Hospital, Mudros, Greece.
Other Biographical Details

Seventh Son of Sandham John and Catherine Chamney Symes nee Swan of 'Hill View', Tinahely, Co.Wicklow. Educated privately Thomas was a bank clerk with Bank of Ireland. Buried in Portianos Military Cemetery, Greece. (Grave: I B 37)

Leach, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
K/11874
Rank
Petty Officer Stoker
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Rocket
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Accidental drowning, passenger, SS Great Western
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Kate Leach nee Ryan. His father was a labourer. His gallantry medal was presented to him by King George V.  He was part of a specially selected group of 100 men that lined the aisle of Westminster Abbey for the interment of the Unknown Warrior. Widow was Ellen Mary 'Helena' Leach nee Kennedy and later Mrs James Heneberry. Left two children. Died from drowning off Great Island while returning to England as a passenger on the SS Great Western. Cause not determined at the inquest but witnesses indicated that it was not suicide. His father helped to recover the body from the river on 24th April. Buried 25 yards south-west of entrance to Kilmokea Cemetery, Co. Wexford.

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