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 18th

Breen, James

Date of Birth
Alias
Brien
Address
Ross Road, Enniscorthy.
Service No.
5387
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action in France during The Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915)
Other Biographical Details

The son of the late James, and Margaret Breen née Habernathy, of 66 Ross Road, Enniscorthy. Brother of Thomas Breen (4370). Prior to enlisting on the 18th September 1914, James was employed as a shop assistant at Mr. W.K. Stamp's, Market Square, Enniscorthy. 2nd Division, in which Breen's battalion was serving, lost over 5,000 men.

Dwyer, Owen

Date of Birth
Service No.
6701
Rank
Colour Sergeant
Regiment
King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at Sea from shock 'owing to vibration of ship on torpedo attack by enemy when weak from Blackwater Fever' while sailing home on sick leave aboard steamship AKABA
Other Biographical Details

Son of Owen and Mary Dwyer nee Culleton. The family moved to Manchester.

Murphy, James

Service No.
5666
Rank
Private
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Thomas and Catherine Murphy of Ardcavan, Castlebridge. Enniscorthy Guardian article.

Born on May 18th

Sheehan, William

Date of Birth
Address
6 Upper William Street, New Ross
Service No.
4378
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Patrick and Jane Sheehan née Nelson, Red House, New Ross. Husband of Ellen Sheehan née Blanche of 6 Upper William Street, New Ross.

Sample Records

White, John

Date of Birth
Address
Johnstown Post Office, Co.Kilkenny
Service No.
2695
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at the Battle of Poelcappelle, Flanders.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John (RIC stationed in Fethard, Co. Wexford) and Bridget White née Neville. John was a member of the Liverpool Police (No.351) Force prior to the war. Buried  Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium, Plot VII.F.17

The Battle of Poelcappelle was fought in Flanders, Belgium, on 9 October 1917 by the British Second Army and Fifth Army against the German 4th Army. The battle marked the end of the string of highly successful British attacks in late September and early October, during the Third Battle of Ypres.

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.

Fitzhenry, James

Date of Birth
Address
Fair Gate, New Ross
Service No.
13140
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
Royal Field Artillery
C Battery, 62nd Brigade
Medals
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Mary Fitzhenry nee Forrestal of Fair Gate, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

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