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 30th

Kingsbury, Thomas

Date of Birth
Rank
Able Seaman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Kalibia (Glasgow)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Torpedoed by a German Submarine and sunk 29 miles West of the Lizard.
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late George and Elizabeth Kingsbury nee Connors. Brother of Joseph Kingsberry, Castlehill Street, Wexford.

Maguire, Robert

Date of Birth
Service No.
2306A
Rank
Leading Seaman
Regiment
Royal Naval Reserve
SS Kalibia
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Direct result of enemy action
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Jane Maguire nee Sinnott of Seamount, Riverchapel, Courtown Harbour. Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

Mayne, Cecil Robert

Date of Birth
Address
Harrow on the Hill, London
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Robert (Shop Manager)and Minnie Todd Mayne nee Buckley.  1901 Census.

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 2nd/5th Battalion attached 7th.

Born on November 30th

Cornick, Percy James

Date of Birth
Address
H.M.Coastguard Station Carhore Point, Wexford.
Service No.
202822
Rank
Leading Boatmen
Regiment
HM Coast Guard
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Disease. Influenza
Other Biographical Details

Buried Christ Church Gorey New Cemetery. Co. Wexford.

Neill, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Hill Street, Wexford
Service No.
4802
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Michael and Hannah Neill née Healy Hill Street, Wexford.

Sample Records

Thorpe, Samuel

Date of Birth
Address
Shannon hill, Enniscorthy
Service No.
11390
Rank
Private
Regiment
Machine Gun Corps
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Bridget Thorpe née Kelly. 

Elmes, King

Date of Birth
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Royal Army Medical Corps
attached 2nd/16th Battalion London Regiment
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas Samuel and Ruth Mary Elmes née Robinson of Robinstown House, Palace East, New Ross, Co. Wexford. 

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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