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 February 3rd

Cleary, Nicholas

Date of Birth
Address
01 Barry Street, Liverpool
Service No.
188961 (RFR., CH.B/5027)
Rank
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Clan McNaughton
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action
Other Biographical Details

1911 Census, aged 36,  showed the couple at 101 Barry Street, Liverpool, with their children Nicholas George (3), and Florence Deborah (1).

Widow: Deborah, 59 Session Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool. Son of Nicholas and Catherine Cleary nee Doyle. His father was a labourer. Married Deborah Tweedy at Ballinameela, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford, 10th January 1900. She was then residing at Coolahest, Dromana, Co. Waterford, but was born in Co.Wexford.

Born on February 3rd

Connors, Patrick

Date of Birth
Alias
O'Connor
Address
Rathangan
Service No.
8281
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Michael and Ellen Connors née Walsh of Johnstown, Duncormick, Wexford. Effects to his father. Brother of Michael J O'Connor 1883 Welsh Guards.

Sample Records

Murray, Cecil William

Black and White head and shoulder shot civilian collar and tie.
Date of Birth
Service No.
14125
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of William Daniel and Arabella Jane Murray née Corvan, 14 Harrington Street, Dublin.

Dowse, William Arthur Clarence

Date of Birth
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action, Somme, France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Dr. Thomas James and Katherine Elizabeth Dowse nee Trouton of 14 Lower George Street, Wexford. 

Leigh, Edward

Head and shoulders portrait from press cutting.
Date of Birth
Address
Rosegarland, Co. Wexford
Rank
Major
Regiment
Hampshire Regiment
2nd Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action whilst in command of the battalion near Krithia, Gallipoli
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late Francis Augustine Leigh, J.P., D.L., formerly 10th Hussars and Mrs Augustine Leigh née Perrier of Rosegarland, Co. Wexford. He was educated at St. Columba's College, Co. Dublin. Husband of Mary Meade Leigh, only daughter of Sir John Buchanan, L.L.D., of Clareinch, Claremont, Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Served in the South African Campaign and in India, Malta and the British West Indies. He left one son, Edward Buchanan Leigh, born at Vacoas, Mauritius on the 19th June, 1913.

Awarded Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps and King's South Africa Medal with two clasps.

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