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 October 26th

Ievers, Edwin

Date of Birth
Address
Ballyanne, New Ross, Co.Wexford.
Service No.
205130
Rank
Private
Regiment
Northumberland Fusiliers
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details
Son of Edwin and Annie Ievers nee Valentine of Ballyanne, New Ross, Co.Wexford. Husband of Gertrude Ievers of 58 Ridley Street, Southwick, Sunderland. The 1901 Census shows the family at Whitechurch, New Ross.

Kehoe, Nicholas

Address
Irishtown, New Ross
Service No.
13331
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Grenadier Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Margaret Kehoe. Husband of Margaret Kehoe of 18 Milford Street, Spotlands, Cardiff. 

Mellefont, Thomas Gray

Date of Birth
Address
Riverchapel, Courtown, Co. Wexford
Service No.
2/9887
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Royal Irish Rifles
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, France
Other Biographical Details

Youngest son of Robert and Susan Mellefont née Gilbert. His Father, born in Carne, Co. Wexford was station officer in the Coast Guard. 1901 census shows family living in Riverchapel. Thomas enlisted before the War in Jan 1912. His brother Gilbert served with the Royal Navy and survived the War. Thomas is commemorated on a memorial in the former Mariners Church, Dun Laoghaire which is now a museum.  

Murphy, William John

Date of Birth
Address
Mount Wilson, Edenderry, King's County
Service No.
9213
Rank
Guardsman
Regiment
Scots Guards
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Brother of Mrs Mary Walsh of Mount Wilson, Edenderry, King's Co. Son of William and Eliza Murphy née Lawless.

Born on October 26th

Leary, James

Date of Birth
Alias
O'Leary, James
Address
Castle Hill Street, Wexford
Service No.
310039
Rank
Stoker 1st Class
Regiment
Royal Navy
HMS Formidable
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
At sea. Torpedoed in the English Channel
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and the late Elizabeth Leary of Castle (Hill) Street, Wexford. Had previously assisted in rescuing the survivors of HMS Bulwark in Sheerness Harbour.

Sample Records

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.

Tottenham, Edward Lowry

Date of Birth
Address
Slaney Hall, Enniscorthy.
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
6th Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action Basra, Iraq
Other Biographical Details

Son of Lowry Cliffe Loftus and Isabella Ogle Tottenham, The Grange, Moy, Co. Tyrone. His father Lowry Cliffe Loftus Tottenham was a former Royal Irish Constabulary district inspector who retired to Moy. He was educated at St. Bee's School, Cumberland, and entered the Royal Veterinary College, Edinburgh, in 1914. He belonged to both School and College O.T.C., and on the outbreak of the war he volunteered for service. He joined the Lowland Division at Stirling and was subsequently given a commission in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was transport officer for some time and then joined the 6th Battalion in Egypt. He served in the battles of 5th and 6th April when the 13th Division captured the Turkish positions in Mesopotamia, and at the repulse at Sanna-y-Hat on 9th April was reported missing and subsequently reported killed on that day.

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.

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