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 6th

Jeffares, Richard Thorpe

Date of Birth
Address
Skarke House, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Head Wound, 33rd Casualty Clearing Station
Other Biographical Details

The fourth son of Michael Henry Jeffares, a farmer, and Catherine ‘Kate’ Jeffares née Collier. His mother died 15.11.1895. Father used surname Jeffers and re-married in 1896. The 1901 Census shows Richard and his brother Michael living with their uncle John Jeffares at Skarke House, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Invalided home from France due to measles 14.5.1915. A letter to Uncle John, 10.10.1916, enclosed Army Form W3136 — only to be used if he was killed — for claiming a gratuity for officers killed in action. ‘If I do go West spend some of it on Mick.’ Mick was serving with 1st Royal Irish Rifles. Wounded in action, ‘gunshot wound left forearm severe’, 10.8.1917, while commanding B Company, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles. Discharged from hospital 5 September and rejoined his unit. WO telegram 6.10.1917: ‘Regret to inform you Capt. R.T. Jeffares Irish Rifles reported Oct 6th admitted 33rd Casualty Clearing Station dangerously wounded head. Further reports will be sent on receipt.’ He died that day.

Michael Carroll

Date of Birth
Address
Queen's, New York, USA
Rank
Private
Regiment
US Army
Gas Company 410, Medical Department
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in collision at sea
Other Biographical Details

The son of Thomas and Margaret Carroll nee Howlin, Ballyconigar, Blackwater, Co. Wexford. His father was a farmer. Married Nellie Clogher at Queen's, New York, 13 September 1918.  He was a medical student when he was drafted into the US Army in 1918. He was aboard the troopship HMS Otranto on the way to Britain when his vessel collided with HMS Kashmir during a severe storm near Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Buried at Kilchoman Cemetery, Islay. Re-interred at Queen's Cemetery, New York.

Born on October 6th

Shallow, James

Date of Birth
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Ionian
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Sunk by a mine off Milford Haven laid by German Submarine UC-51.
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Kate Shallow nee Nolan of Fisherstown Campile, Co.Wexford.

Taylor, Godfrey Lovelace

Date of Birth
Address
Grangville, Fethard, Co. Wexford.
Rank
Fleet Surgeon
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Formidable
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Sunk by two German torpedoes fired by Submarine U-24 on New Year's Day 38 miles off the Devon Coast.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Godfrey Lovelace Taylor and Dorothea Marie Taylor nee Bruun of Grangeville, Fethard, Co. Wexford.

Sample Records

Sikes, Richard Herbert

Posed studio photo of a young Richard Sikes taken prior to enlistment.
Date of Birth
Address
2 Park View, Wellington Road, Cork
Rank
Sub Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Naval Division
Howe Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action on the Western Front
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard Cherry Sikes and Susanna Lecky Sikes 2 Parkview Wellington Rd. Cork. In 1914 he joined the Royal Fusiliers and spent a winter in the trenches.  He was transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and was in command of a company in the Howe Battalion. Sub Lieutenant Richard Herbert Sikes is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France and the War Memorial in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork. Buried at Bay 1. Arras Memorial, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Dempsey, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
5752A
Rank
Seaman
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
HMS Goliath
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
HMS Goliath was torpedoed in the Dardanelles
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Dempsey of Bride St, Wexford.

Darling, William Oliver Fortesque

Date of Birth
Address
Chelsea Lodge, Duncannon
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of the Revd Oliver Warner Darling and Edith nee Dunn of Killesk Rectory, Duncannon, Co. Wexford. Brother of Second Lieutenant Claude Henry Whish Darling.

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