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 August 11th

James Brett

Date of Birth
Alias
James Jnr
Address
370 Bannerman Ave, Winnipege, Manitoba, Canada.
Service No.
148734
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
78th
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Missing presummed dead after action near the Village of Hallu, France.
Other Biographical Details

Son of James (1869-1926) and Mary Margaret Brett née Sweeney (1871-1945) both born Co. Wexford. Residents of  house 12 in Rochestown, Wexford in 1901 census. Moved to City of Winnipeg, Canada c. 1903. He was recorded as missing in action at a battle near Hallu, as part of the Battle of Amiens, and his name is recorded on the Vimy memorial. Both father and son enlisted. James Snr. survived and was discharged on 1st April 1919.

Liebermann, Frederick Victor

Date of Birth
Service No.
8197
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Australian Field Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Mutilation Wounds
Other Biographical Details

Son of Adolf and Anna Eliza Liebermann née Farrell of 33 Russell Street, Camberwell, Melbourne. His father was a professor of languages Brother of Gertrude Ellen Lieberman of Broadway, Camberwell, Victoria.

O'Sullivan, Vincent

Date of Birth
Alias
Vincent Cornelius
Service No.
4438
Rank
Sapper
Regiment
Australian Tunnelling Corps
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in France by an aerial bomb
Other Biographical Details

Appears to have been born Vincent Cornelius O'Sullivan at Bridge St. New Ross 19-07-1876, son of Jeremiah and Mary O'Sullivan née Walsh. Buried Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Stafford, Francis

Date of Birth
Address
161 Iveagh Building, 25, New Bride Street, Dublin
Service No.
14896
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Missing in Action Gallipoli campaign presumed dead.
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anne Stafford née Keegan. Husband of Gertrude Stafford née Moore of 161 Iveagh Building, 25 New Bride Street, Dublin.  Served in India and the Boer War Campaign. Was employed in Guinness' and appears on the Guinness Great War Roll of Honour. His final rank was Lance-Corporal - promoted in the field. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial monument, Gallipoli, Turkey. 

Born on August 11th

Devereux, William

Date of Birth
Service No.
5520
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Ellen Devereux nee Larkin, John's Gate Street, Wexford. Later Gibson Street, Wexford.

Sample Records

Nolan, James

Posed sepia photograph, head and shoulders of James Nolan prior to enlisting aged 20. Freshfaced, short dark hair, wearing a white shirt with narrow knotted tie and a lighted coloured relaxed jacket.
Date of Birth
Address
Ballinamona, Ballycanew, Gorey.
Service No.
8225
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
Machine Gun Corps
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action during the Battle of San Quentin at The Somme
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Margaret Nolan née Duffy of Ballinamona, Ballycanew. (Twin brother of Peter.) Formally with the Royal Irish Regiment Service number 5161. 
Decorated in 1917 and awarded the Military Medal, for bravery in battle on land.  He was listed in the London Gazette on 18th July 1917. Memorialised on Panel 90-93 the Pozieres Memorial, The Somme, France.

Maguire, Matthew Lawrence

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Flying Corps
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds in Turkish hands
Other Biographical Details

Son of James Maguire, J.P. and of Dora Maguire nee Gahan of Tomgar House, Ballycanew, Gorey. Formerly Connaught Rangers.

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.

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