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 May 5th

Kehoe, Edward

Date of Birth
Address
New Ross, Co. Wexford
Service No.
1576
Rank
Private
Regiment
The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
1/5th
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Husband of Margaret Kehoe. Native of New Ross. His widow died and Mary Cahill became guardian of his children.

Ruth, John, Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Cornmarket, Wexford
Service No.
285819
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
TB at Central Military Hospital, Cork
Other Biographical Details

Brother of Mrs Anna Liza Murphy, 8 Nelson St., Widnes, Lancashire. Occupation on enlistment was gardener. Formerly he served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, No. 1966.
Buried in Cork Military Cemetery Park, Cork.

Born on May 5th

Cairns, Richard Frederick

Date of Birth
Alias
Zimber, Richard Frederick
Address
Priory Street, New Ross.
Service No.
R/10201
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
King's Royal Rifle Corps
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Ypres
Other Biographical Details

Son of Aaron & Elizabeth Zimber of  Priory Street, New Ross, Co. Wexford. His father was a Jeweller by trade. Served as Cairns. No known grave. Memorialised on panel 53 Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. 

Murphy, Owen Francis

Date of Birth
Address
105 South Main Street, Wexford
Rank
Second Engineer
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS W.M. Barkley (Belfast)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
SS W.M. Barkley was sunk at 7pm by a German Submarine.
Other Biographical Details
Snippet in a Wexford newspaper. Son of Mr Murphy of 105 South Main Street, Wexford Son of John and Eliza Murphy née Connors.

Sample Records

Breen, Thomas

Date of Birth
Address
4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy.
Service No.
4370
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Manchester Regiment
11th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Wounded while fighting in the Dardanellas. Died at Sea on hospital ship enroute to Malta
Other Biographical Details

The son of James and Margaret Breen née Habernathy of 66 Ross Rd, Enniscorthy. Brother of James Breen (4387) Irish Guards, 1st Battalion, who was killed less than fours months earlier in France during The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915. Husband of Margaret Breen née Nolan of 4 Patrick's Place, Enniscorthy. Thomas left a window and two children. Remembered on Panel 158 - 170, Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Barry, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
17986
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, Balkans, Salonika/ Macedonian Campaign, Battle of Kosturio
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore. Brother of Michael, Welsh Regiment, killed in action, France 23rd July 1918.

Sherwood, Richard Atwell

Date of Birth
Address
7 Parnell Street, Wexford.
Service No.
9220 (7220 Pension Record)
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Esther Victoria Sarah Sherwood née Atwell, ex-R.I.C. Sergeant, 7 Parnell Street, Wexford. Brother of John above. Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord) in France.

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