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.

Born on April 3rd

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.

Sample Records

Toole, David Frederick Jack

Date of Birth
Alias
Jack
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
49th Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

 

Son of William John and Magdalene Toole nee Thompson of Curracloe House, Curracloe.

Brother of Lieutenant Edward Thomas Toole died 15.09.1916.

Buried: Ontario Cemetery, Sains-les-Marquion, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

Kenealy VC, William Stephen

Date of Birth
Address
Ashton - in - Marketfield, Lancs
Service No.
1809
Rank
Lance Sergeant
Regiment
Lancashire Fusiliers
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds Gallipoli. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine on 28 June 1915 and died the next day.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Colour-Sergeant John & Margaret Kenealy nee Davis, Bolton Rd. Ashton - in - Marketfield, Lancs. Born 38 Parnell Street, Wexford. Kenealy is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

On 25th April, 1915, three companies, and the Headquarters of the 1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Capt. Willis, Serjt. Richards, and Pte. Kenealy have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.

— The London Gazette (No. 29273), 24 August 1915

John Michael Grogan

Date of Birth
Service No.
9444
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

He was 61629 Constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1912 and served in Gorey. Son of 7663 Constable William Grogan, Dublin Metropolitan Police, and Bridget nee Ryder. His brother Christopher, 5 Parnell Street, Dublin, was sole legatee. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

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