Wexford Great War Dead

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 5th

Moran, Michael John

Date of Birth

Monday November 26th 1877

Address

Cornmarket, Wexford

Service No.

4763.B.

Rank

Seaman

Regiment

Royal Naval Reserve

SS Braeside

Date of Death

Wednesday December 5th 1917

Circumstances of Death

Direct result of enemy action, Wife then a wardsmaid at the Union Hospital, Wexford.

Other Biographical Details

Wife: Mary A. Wardsmaid Union Hospital, Wexford. son of Patrick and Bridget Moran née Barlow. His father was a porter. He was a labourer residing at Cornmarket, Wexford, when he married Mary Anne Walsh 13.4.1899. Daughter Mary Bridget born at Whitemill Road, Wexford, 14.6.1901. He and his wife had been separated for some years. The 1911 Census shows his wife and daughter residing with her mother at 2 Slippery Green, Wexford

Born on December 5th

Birney, John

Date of Birth

Sunday December 5th 1886

Service No.

2942

Rank

Private

Regiment

Irish Guards

1st Battalion

Date of Death

Sunday December 6th 1914

Circumstances of Death

France and Flanders, Killed in Action

Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick & Ellen Birney née Cuffe, Strahart, Ferns, Co. Wexford. Killed just after first battle of Ypres.

Sample Records

Flanagan Thomas

Date of Birth

Sunday April 17th 1892

Address

Bullawn, Co. Wexford

Service No.

21651

Rank

Private

Regiment

Royal Dublin Fusiliers

1st Battalion

Date of Death

Tuesday April 24th 1917

Circumstances of Death

Killed in action in France

Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Flanagan nee Bolger of 13 Bullawn, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Kehoe, Francis

Date of Birth

Sunday January 29th 1893

Address

2 Eden Terrace, Kingstown, Dublin.

Rank

Seaman

Regiment

Mercantile Marine

SS Leinster (Dublin)

Date of Death

Thursday October 10th 1918

Circumstances of Death

Ship sunk by German Submarine UB-123 on the way to Holyhead

Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine Kehoe nee Murphy, Bride Street, Wexford, and later of 2 Eden Terrace, Kingstown, Dublin. His father was a Dublin Port pilot who predeceased him. Siblings were William, Catherine, Teresa, Ellen, John, Patrick, and Mary Ann.