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 September 14th

Brady, Michael

Address
Ellendale, Killena, Gorey.
Service No.
TS/8966
Rank
Driver Saddler
Regiment
Royal Army Service Corps
74th Divisional Train
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, died of wounds
Other Biographical Details

Sole legatee Maggie Brougham. Killed during period between Second Battle of Bapaume (2-3 September 1918) and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line (Battle of Epehy, 18 September 1918). Buried Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery France. 

Spencer, Charles

Date of Birth
Address
Gorey
Service No.
7610
Rank
Private
Regiment
Connaught Rangers
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Thomas and Mary Spencer née Byrne. Husband of Annie Spencer née Molloy of Ballygarron, Kilmuckridge, Gorey. Article in the Echo.

Swift, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
7026
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 Bartholomew and Ellen Swift née Neill. Husband of Catherine née Lewis.

Tierney, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
Bewley Street, New Ross
Service No.
4729
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
6th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of Wounds France
Other Biographical Details

Brother of Andrew Tierney (11520) . Son of Patrick and Susan Tierney née Wall, Bewley Street, New Ross. Buried La Neuville British Cemetery, France. (Grave 11 D 61.)

Born on September 14th

Colfer, James Richard

Date of Birth
Address
New Ross
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
Royal Munster Fusiliers
9th Battalion
Date of Death
Other Biographical Details

Son of John Redmond Colfer and Martha Colfer of New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Sample Records

Brehon, Richard Colles

Date of Birth
Address
14 Newtown or Commons, New Ross
Service No.
114383
Rank
Private
Regiment
Canadian Mounted Rifles
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders. Killed at the Battle of Mont Sorrel (Battle of Hill 62, 2 to 13 June 1916
Other Biographical Details

Son of Richard Colles and Anne Brehon, listed in 1901 Census in New Ross, Co. Wexford, as a gentleman farmer and a member of the Irish Church.

Barry, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
Kilmore
Service No.
52569
Rank
Private
Regiment
Welsh Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action during the period between the Battles of the Lys (3 battles) and Second Battle of Arras
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Bridget Barry née Cloney, Neamstown, Kilmore, Co. Wexford. Brother of John, Royal Dublin Fusiliers killed in action Balkans 7th December 1915.

Sullivan, Michael

Date of Birth
Address
William Street, Gorey
Service No.
5320
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action. Struck by a shell at Hill 60.
Other Biographical Details

Son of William and Mary Sullivan of 13 Grattan Street, Gorey. Husband of Bridget Sullivan of 16 Robert Street South, Dublin. Served in the South African War. Enlisted in Wexford while living in Gorey.

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