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 28th

Comerton, James

Date of Birth
Alias
James Comerford
Address
Wygram Place, Wexford
Rank
Fireman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine
SS Antinoe (London)
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Torpedoed by a German Submarine 150 miles off Bishop Rock.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Martin and Mary Comerford née Mansfield. Changed his name to Comerton when he married Julia O'Connor in 1907. But in the 1911 Census she used the name Comerford. - Julia Comerton of Wygram Place, Wexford.

Born on May 28th

Allen, James

Date of Birth
Alias
John Allen
Address
New Ross
Service No.
4467
Rank
Private
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Vierstraat France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Parents John and Bridget, Upper Mary Street, New Ross. Correct name James but named as John Allen in newspaper article. Enniscorthy Guardian.

Sample Records

Cooper, John

Date of Birth
Address
Taghmon
Service No.
7571
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Royal Irish Regiment
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Cooper née Warren of Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Brother of 2273 Michael Cooper.

Kane, John Francis Aloysius

Date of Birth
Address
Saunderscourt, Wexford
Rank
Captain
Regiment
Royal Flying Corps
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed while flying at Brooklands, London
Other Biographical Details

Third son of John and Mary Kane nee O'Connor, formerly of Saunderscourt, Wexford. Brother Robert Henry.

Smyth, Michael

Date of Birth
Alias
Smith (Born)
Address
73 New Hedley Street, Boundary Street, Liverpool
Rank
Able Seaman
Regiment
Mercantile Marine Reserve
HM Yacht Jason 2
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died in the Naval hospital in Southampton
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anastatia Smith née Saunders of Wexford.
James Smith and Anastatia Saunders were married in Wexford where they had three children.  They left Wexford for Liverpool around 1882, where Michael was born.  They returned to Wexford around 1885. 
The 1911 Census shows the family at living in the Faythe.
Michael was husband to Mary Elizabeth Smyth née Finnegan of 73 New Hedley Street, Boundary Street, Liverpool. They married in Liverpool in 1906.  (Name spelt Smyth.)  He was an able seaman aboard the “HMS Wallington” when he died in the Naval hospital in Southampton 04/11/1917.  HMS Wallington was the Auxiliary Patrol base at Immingham from 6/11/1915. (It was a depot ship on the River Humber, with the work and administration being done in the Old Custom House, Grimsby and berthed at Immingham.)
Michael is buried in Ford (Roman Catholic) Cemetery in Liverpool.
His brother James served with 1st Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers. No: 12504.

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