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 November 23rd

Martin, Laurence Henry

Date of Birth
Address
Killeshandra, Co. Cavan
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Irish Fusiliers
9th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Second son of the Rev. Richard D'Oiler Martin and Mrs . Catherine Mary Martin

McDonald, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Woodville Terrace, Clonmel
Rank
Quartermaster
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at home after short illness.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Matthew and Catherine McDonald nee Cogley. Husband of Mary McDonald, 31 Woodville Terrace, Clonmel. Career Solider 22 years. Served in India.

Whelan, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
Limerick
Service No.
4089
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at Home
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Margaret Whelan née Breen. Wife Caroline née Molloy.

Born on November 23rd

Fitzpatrick, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Montreal, Canada
Service No.
448091
Rank
Private
Regiment
Quebec Regiment
14th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Peter Fitzpatrick, Ballinastraw, Bunclody. 

Sample Records

Whelan, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Rathaspick, Co. Wexford
Service No.
8917
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action during the battle of Le Pilly on October 19, 1914. His body was never recovered but his name is listed on the Le Touret Memorial in the Pas de Calais region of northern France.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John Whelan, a labourer and Elizabeth née Carroll. No known grave. His name is inscribed on the Le Touret Monument in Pas de Calais.

Walker, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
63380
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
2/4th
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Ellen Walker née Loughlin. Husband of Mary née Brown. 

Peare, Hilda Florence Letitia Anna

Date of Birth
Address
Killmallock House, Enniscorthy
Rank
Unknown
Regiment
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At the Military Hospital, Seymour Park, Manchester. Severe attack of Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever) contracted while she was nursing the sick and wounded of the fighting forces
Other Biographical Details

Daughter of Robert Hawtry and Alice Maud Peare née Sutherland, Kilmallock House, Enniscorthy. Estimated year of birth: 1894

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