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 December 2nd

Bass, Joseph Warren

Date of Birth
Address
Carrigbeg House, Gorey.
Service No.
6401
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action near the village of Le Mensil, France.
Other Biographical Details

The son of Thomas Askins Bass and Esther Bass née Warren.
Before going to the front Mr Bass was involved in Business in gorey for a number of years in connection with the firm of W E Reynolds. He was cousin of Mr George Warren auctioneer. Just before he was killed, his company were in a very hot engagement, and were about to be relieved when he was struck down by a piece of shrapnel. - News from the front, Gorey and the Great War by Brian & Mary Kenny.

Grant, Joseph

Service No.
76521
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Field Artillery
117th Battery, 26th Brigade
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Ida Edmondson

Sample Records

Cheevers, Matthew

Date of Birth
Alias
Mattie
Address
Campile, Co. Wexford.
Service No.
14211
Rank
Private
Regiment
The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
12th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Catherine Cheevers née Hanlon of Horeswood, Campile, Co. Wexford.

Monaghan, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
3186
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Elizabeth Monaghan nee Nolan of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Thomas is one of four brothers serving in the army.
Memorial Reference: Panel 185 - 190, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Butler, Philip

Date of Birth
Address
Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
Service No.
4391
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Philip (d. 28/12/1928) & Bridget (nee Daly) Butler, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Date of death, 19th October, is the date that 2nd Royal Irish assaulted the town of Le Pilly, during the Battle of La Bassee .

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